International
American Amb. in Albania Welcomes First Afghan Refugees in Tirana

United States Ambassador in Albania Yuri Kim welcomed the first group of 121 evacuees from Afghanistan in Tirana. Albanian government accepted the request from U.S. Government to temporary host these refugees.
“I am the American Ambassador in Albania, I am here with Foreign Minister of Albania and wanted to welcome you,” announced Kim while standing at the entrance of one of the aircrafts.
Albanian officials said the first group was made up of civil society activists and others, including children and 11 babies.
Great to welcome 2 more planes from Kabul carrying 154 Afghans, incl women of all professions, journalists, activists, children. Pleased to work w/@ediramaal @RepSlotkin @SpiritAmerica @VitalVoices @YaldaHakimFund @SchmidtFutures to bring people out of harm’s way. Thank you, 🇦🇱 ! pic.twitter.com/NfscCg0KZg
— Ambassador Yuri Kim (@USAmbAlbania) August 28, 2021

International
Mental health crisis spikes among Afghan women after Taliban regained control two years ago

The women of Afghanistan are suffering a mental health crisis since the Taliban regained power two years ago. According to a joint report from three U.N. agencies released Tuesday, approximately 70% of women experience feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression.
The numbers continue to rise, as there has already been a significant jump between April and June of this year alone, with an increase from 57% the preceding quarter.
The report, conducted by U.N. Women, the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, interviewed women online, in-person and in group consultations as well as individual telesurveys.
592 Afghan women in 22 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces took part in the study. The Associated Press reports:
They have barred women from most areas of public life and work and banned girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade. They have prohibited Afghan women from working at local and non-governmental organizations. The ban was extended to employees of the United Nations in April.
Opportunities to study continued to shrink as community-based education by international organizations was banned and home-based schooling initiatives were regularly shut down by the de facto authorities — a term use by the U.N. for the Taliban government.
Afghanistan is the only country in the world with restrictions on female education and the rights of Afghan women and children are on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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