Marshal Dostum: Oppression Has No Permanence

Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, leader of the Junbish-e Milli Afghanistan party, urged Afghan citizens to preserve their unity and solidarity in a message marking the start of Ramadan.

Dostum stated the nation "will own its own destiny at the soonest time." He wrote: "The oppression of the oppressor never has permanence."

The message added that "fate-determining works" to bring "transformation and change" are near.

Ramadan has begun in Afghanistan as many families grapple with economic hardships due to poverty and unemployment. Reports indicate more than 17 million Afghans face severe food insecurity.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted in a social media post that millions are fasting and sharing iftar meals during the month. OCHA emphasized challenges for returning families rebuilding their lives and called for increased aid to earthquake-affected families in eastern Afghanistan to provide shelter, food, drinking water and health services.

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), supported by the UN Afghanistan Trust Fund, has constructed resilient infrastructure including canals and flood barriers in vulnerable areas to protect against natural disasters.

UN-Habitat previously warned of rising temperatures in Afghanistan, stating cities are on the front lines of the climate crisis requiring urgent action.