Taliban Requests Japan to Resume Kabul Water Supply Project

DID Press: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy announced that officials have requested Japan to restart work on the water supply project for New Kabul City.

In a statement, the ministry said that Qari Din Mohammad Hanif, Minister of Economy, and Dr. Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Mieko Izawa, Chargé d’Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in Afghanistan, and Kathy Webley, Head of the UNOPS Projects Office, emphasizing the urgent need to resume the project.

Hanif expressed appreciation for Japan’s humanitarian assistance, noting the $24 million water supply project, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented by UNOPS, has been stalled for the past four years.

The project, overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, is of fundamental and vital importance for Kabul, he added.

Japanese Chargé d’Affaires reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continued humanitarian support, highlighting that Japan has provided $1 million in aid to earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan and an additional $1.33 million through Japan Platform for humanitarian assistance.

He also pledged to raise the issue of resuming New Kabul City water supply project with JICA and other relevant agencies.