[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- THE CASH AID CONTROVERSY CONTINUES – Pajhwok Afghan News reported again that no cash assistance flights had arrived in Kabul since 14 December 2022. This report follows an earlier report by AMU TV that quoted a Da Afghanistan Bank official making the same claim. However, another DA Bank spokesman gave a conflicting statement in a subsequent press announcement that the aid had not been halted. The United Nations issued a fact sheet yesterday that outlined the procedures used to transport funds to Afghanistan but failed to disclose whether transfers had been halted. The Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, announced on a BBC radio show on Friday, 6 January that funds had been ‘temporarily suspended’.
- PAKISTAN RELEASED ANOTHER 300 AFGHANS FROM PRISON IN SINDH – An additional 303 Afghans were released from Pakistani prisons on Monday, following an earlier release of approximately 500 previously detained Afghans. The refugees were seen loading on busses that were scheduled to transport them to a temporary holding area near Spin Boldak Gate where they will likely be deported in the coming days.
- SEVERAL STRANDED TRAVELLERS RESCUED ALONG GHOR-KABUL HIGHWAY – Hundreds of travelers are thought to be stuck along snow-clogged Afghan highways after a heavy storm dropped several inches across the country over the previous forty-eight hours. Approximately 50 were rescued by citizens and security forces personnel along the Ghor-Kabul Highway. The road remains closed and a new storm system is expected to drop more snow across the country. One child succumbed to exposure as a result of the
- SOME WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN BALKH PROVINCE ORDERED TO CLOSE DOWN – Women proprietors of businesses in Balkh Province have reported they were visited by Ministry of Vice and Virtue representatives and were told to be prepared to close their shops by Thursday. Balkh Province has the highest concentration of women-owned businesses in Afghanistan and accounts for a significant portion of economic activity.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kandahar: The AFF reportedly struck a Taliban convoy in Police District 4 of Kandahar City. The ambush is thought to have wounded 3 Taliban and may have disabled two trucks.
NEXT 24 HOURS
MORE SNOW/RAIN IN THE FORECAST – A second storm front is expected to bring more rain and snow to Afghanistan. The severe weather is expected to affect 22 Provinces and will continue until January 11th. At-risk Afghans are cautioned to avoid travel and to check on the conditions of roads if travel is absolutely necessary.