Strait of Hormuz reopened, Iran and U.S. say - Middle East conflict on 17 April
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Su...
Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained severe throughout 2025, with millions still struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The organisation said it supported more than 1.2 million primary healthcare consultations over the course of the year, underscoring the scale of ongoing need across the country.
In its annual operational update, the ICRC said it backed 47 primary healthcare centres run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society, where more than 1.26 million patients received treatment, around 64% of them women and girls.
Summarising its work, the organisation said it “continued to monitor the humanitarian situation of the civilian population” and raised concerns with authorities“to help prevent harm and ensure people’s safety and dignity.”
The report said the figures reflect the scale of needs across the country, where years of conflict, economic decline and natural disasters have strained already fragile public services.
Delivering essential medical supplies
According to the ICRC, more than 337,000 routine vaccine doses were administered at supported clinics, while hundreds of healthcare workers received technical training and financial support to improve services.
The organisation also said it delivered essential medicines and supplies to hospitals treating emergencies, outbreaks and returnees, helping more than 107,000 people access treatment.
Beyond healthcare, the report pointed to wider humanitarian pressures. More than 15,000 households received cash assistance for urgent basic needs, mainly among returnees, earthquake-affected communities and displaced families.
In both rural and urban areas, more than 775,000 people gained access to clean drinking water through repairs to hand pumps, solar-powered systems and other infrastructure projects.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe crises, with millions dependent on aid as poverty, unemployment and climate shocks continue to affect daily life.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his country could provide a “safe corridor” and “alternative route” for regional energy shipments, as supply disruptions continue to affect the wider Middle East.
An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to new figures released by UN Women.
China is seeking to strengthen and upgrade its cooperation with Turkmenistan, focusing on what officials describe as “high-quality development” across a range of sectors.
Kazakhstan plans to boost trade with Afghanistan from $500 million to $3 billion, backed by infrastructure and transit projects designed to strengthen regional connectivity and improve access to global markets.
A low-profile diplomatic visit to Tbilisi may prove more consequential than it first appears, as representatives of France, Germany and Poland meet figures across Georgia’s political spectrum, signalling that Brussels is watching closely ahead of a key EU foreign ministers’ meeting.
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