The United Nations Development Programme has warned that rising dust storms, sandstorms, and air pollution are severely disrupting urban life in Afghanistan.
In Kabul and other major cities, thick haze makes it difficult to even recognize people at a 10-meter distance.
Health experts report a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses and air pollution–related problems. Afghanistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with prolonged droughts, soil degradation, and loss of vegetation fueling more frequent dust and sandstorms.
The UNDP is working with local communities to plant drought-resistant trees and rehabilitate degraded lands, aiming to boost climate resilience and reduce dust sources.
