Maternal mortality rates declined from 1100 to 396 in Afghanistan: WB
Khaama Press: Citing the United Nations estimates, [a] World Bank report states that maternal mortality rates (MMR) declined from 1,100 to 396 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2000 to 2015. The report finds that such health gains have been made possible by expanded frontline health services and a stronger health system. Click here to read more (external link).
March 8, 2018
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Posted in: Health News
Afghanistan’s Herat Province ‘Cleared Of Landmines’
Herat, Afghanistan
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
February 15, 2018
The HALO Trust demining group says it has cleared Afghanistan’s Herat Province of landmines as part of a 10-year project funded by the British government.
The organization said on February 15 that its Afghan staff had cleared more than 600 minefields in the western province, an effort it said has had a “major impact” on Herat’s potential for economic development.
“Around 75 percent of the population of the province is rural, and millions of square meters of prime agricultural land were unavailable because of the fear of landmines,” the group said.
“With UK funding, HALO has made 40 million square meters of agricultural land safe to farm, and in doing so has improved food security for farming families.”
It said schools, businesses, and railway infrastructure have been built on land cleared under the project.
British officials said about 125 people a year were killed or injured by mines in Herat until clearance started in 2008.
Many of the landmines were laid during the 1980s when local fighters battled the Soviet Union and in the 1990s when domestic fighters battled each other.
A HALO spokesman said nearly 80 percent of the minefields in the country had been cleared in the past 30 years.
HALO said landmine-clearing efforts are made difficult because of continued fighting between government forces and extremist groups, including the Taliban and Islamic State (IS).
A U.S.-led coalition drove the Taliban from power after an invasion in 2001 and it has backed Kabul’s efforts to hold power against the extremist groups.
With reporting by The Telegraph and Reuters
Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.
February 15, 2018
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Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy, Reconstruction and Development
British Group Works to Preserve Afghanistan’s Arts & Crafts Heritage
Afghanistan’s arts and architecture were once the pride of Asia. However, more than four decades of war have left many of the country’s traditional crafts on the verge of extinction. Now a Britain-based organization, Turquoise Mountain, is working to preserve Afghan heritage in the capital’s still surviving commercial district, Murad Khani. VOA Deewa service’s Munaza Shaheed reports from a recent trip to Kabul.
January 21, 2018
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Posted in: Cultural Heritage
Afghan Woman Overcomes Disability, Becomes a Success in US
A young Afghan woman living in Florida is unable to use her hands. But that hasn’t stopped her from leading a successful and productive life. As VOA’s Khadija Homa Alkozai reports, sometimes sheer determination can transform a disability into a miraculous journey.
January 14, 2018
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Posted in: Inspirational Story
Afghan president launches construction of highway in Badghis province
Xinhua: Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday inaugurated the construction of Qaisar-Laman highway, an essential road that connects the countries’ western region to northern provinces.  The first and second phase of 82 km of the total 233 km highway is expected to be completed within the next two and half years. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Good News
December 10, 2017
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Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy, Health News, Reconstruction and Development
Afghan Youth Team Beats Pakistan to Win Asian Cricket Championship
VOA News:Â Afghanistan defeated Pakistan Sunday, winning their first under-19 cricket Asia Cup final in Kuala Lumpur, offering a rare opportunity for celebrations in a country desperate for a break from relentless rounds of deadly violence… The win demonstrated significant improvement in Afghan cricket, which spread in the war-torn country from refugee camps in neighboring Pakistan and has become one of Afghanistan’s most popular sports in recent years. The International Cricket Council in this year inducted Afghanistan as its 12th full member, recognizing the strides the Afghan national side has made in the game. Click here to read more (external link).
November 19, 2017
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Posted in: Afghan Sports News
Afghan Premiere League Finale Brings Nation Under Umbrella
Tolo News: The crowd that gathered on Friday night at Afghanistan’s Football Federation stadium to watch the final match of the Afghan Premier League (APL) was the first of its kind in over 30 years in Afghanistan. Despite security threats, a crowd of 10,000 people gathered at the stadium to watch the final match between Shaheen Asmayee and De Maiwand Atalan. People from different ethnic groups stood shoulder to shoulder to watch the match, and together tension was put aside and everyone cheered for their favorite team. Click here to read more (external link).
October 28, 2017
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Posted in: Afghan Sports News
Afghan Children Free To Enroll In Iran Schools
Tolo News: Iran leader said in a tweet that in future all Afghan children living in Iran can enroll in Iran’s schools, even the illegal immigrants. From now on no Afghan child should be deprived of an education in Iran, Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on his twitter page Saturday evening.  This is a major step forward for Afghan children in the country who were often deprived of an education. Click here to read more (external link).
September 23, 2017
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Posted in: Education, Human Rights
Kam Air Gets Local Go-Ahead To Fly To Europe
Tolo News: Kam Air on Monday announced it has been given the go-ahead by the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) to fly to Europe and will start flights as soon as the European Union lifts its ban on local airlines. Following a rigorous nine-month assessment process, the ACAA renewed Kam Air’s license and approved its application to fly to Europe. Click here to read more (external link).
August 28, 2017
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Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy
Afghan Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team wins international tournament in Indonesia
Afghan Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team
Tolo News: The Afghan women’s basketball team won the 4th Bali Cup International Tournament held in Indonesia this past week. The team won the tournament after beating Thailand 65-25 in the final match of the tournament. Sixteen girls from Afghanistan participated in the competition. The competition was held on Indonesia’s Bali Island and 14 teams from around Asia participated. Click here to read more (external link).
July 30, 2017
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Posted in: Afghan Sports News, Women's Rights
Urban water supply contract worth $11.141 million signed for Kabul city
Khaama Press: A contract for the urban water supply for Kabul city was signed in the presence of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. With the completion of the first phase of the project, around 10 thousand residential houses will receive pure drinking water on 24 hour basis. Click here to read more (external link).
July 30, 2017
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Posted in: Reconstruction and Development
First oxygen and nitrogen production factory starts work in Nangarhar
Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan
Khaama Press:Â The first ever factory producing oxygen and nitrogen has started operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan with a local doctor investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to locally produce the elements and create jobs for the local residents. The provincial government said the factory will provide enough oxygen and nitrogen to respond to the needs of the four provinces in eastern parts of the country. Click here to read more (external link).
July 7, 2017
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Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy, Job Creation, Reconstruction and Development
