Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Message on natural disasters in the country - 2026

Keypoints:

Condolence: Honoring victims and comforting families.
Relief: Delivering rescue, medical aid, and shelter.
Reconstruction: Repairing homes, roads, and public services.
Preparedness: Raising awareness and early warning systems.
Resource Management: Using water and natural resources wisely.
Community Support: Engaging citizens and volunteers.
Resilience: Encouraging patience, hope, and faith.
Prevention: Reducing risks of future natural disasters.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dear compatriots, brothers and sisters! In recent days, we witnessed snowfall and rain in various regions of the country—an event that is highly valuable for agricultural growth, increasing water reserves, and strengthening livestock resources in the coming year. We must be grateful to the Merciful God for this natural blessing and take it as a good omen, considering the year ahead as one filled with bounty and grace. We hope that the abundance of blessings and increased security will be felt throughout our country next year, and that our dear people may live in peace and peace of mind.

Reporting the Tragedy and Human Loss

Compatriots! Alongside this natural blessing, we also faced accompanying incidents; the recent heavy snowfalls in some parts of the country caused the destruction of residential homes and resulted in casualties. Yesterday's heart-wrenching and catastrophic incident in Nuristan province, where a number of our dear compatriots were martyred, has plunged everyone—especially the families of the victims—into profound grief. As officials, we had previously issued warnings about this situation, yet these events occurred and left us in sorrow. Due to the snowfalls this year, from the 1st of Jadi to the 17th of Dalwa, 160 of our compatriots have been martyred, and hundreds of residential houses, shops, and various locations have been destroyed. The highest casualties occurred in the provinces of Nuristan, Badakhshan, Parwan, and Ghazni.

Government Response and Rescue Operations

Noting the incidents of past years, the government had taken full preparations with all types of facilities over the last year or two to confront disasters and assist the victims. In the first days of the incident, a delegation arrived to save those trapped in the "Kuta-e-Jangi" mountains. Due to the coordination between the relevant institutions and departments, a thousand people were saved in the provinces of Badakhshan and Ghor alone. Furthermore, many of the roads between districts and provinces in certain mountainous regions that witnessed snowfall have been mostly reopened through the urgent actions of officials and the hard work of laborers. These roads have been cleared and reopened to travelers, and the problems of movement and transit have been resolved.

National Resilience and Social Responsibility

Honorable Compatriots! Natural disasters can cause damage in any country, but in our country, this damage may be greater because our resources are limited. The imposed war has naturally limited our resources and forced our people into situations where they lack necessary health and housing facilities. Despite our limitations, it remains the duty of the relevant organs and officials, as well as charitable and wealthy individuals, to fulfill their national, fundamental, and human responsibility toward the vulnerable. There is a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stating that Divine mercy will never descend upon those who do not show mercy and compassion among themselves and do not reach out to help others in their difficulties. We have a duty to help the brave, the poor, and the affected people of our country and not separate ourselves from them under these difficult conditions in any way.

Early Warning and Flood Prevention

I also want to mention another point: for a successful confrontation with natural disasters, it is necessary to be forward-looking at all times. It is necessary for the people to pay attention to the words of officials regarding natural disasters and the probability of their occurrence, and for the cooperation and understanding between the people and relevant departments to increase. As the winter season began, the danger of floods should not be forgotten. It is essential that we are prepared for the coming days and the potential floods that lie ahead. Similarly, the people must also remain attentive to the risks of potential floods and disasters.

Water Conservation and Climate Awareness

Dear Brothers and Sisters! As mentioned many times in the Holy Quran, rain and the abundance of water that quenches the earth are considered important Divine blessings. Now, for our people, the removal of the risk of famine and drought is a great Divine mercy and blessing attained through His grace and kindness. For this reason, it is necessary, according to Islamic etiquette, to be grateful for these merciful blessings and to pray for the continuation of grace and its extension to others. Likewise, let us pray for the happiness of the souls of those lost in this incident. I have directed that next Friday, ceremonies for the recitation of the Holy Quran and funeral prayers (Fateha) be held for this purpose. Alongside prayer and supplication to the Divine threshold, it is necessary to implement the teachings of the luminous religion of Islam regarding the sensible use of natural resources and the avoidance of waste and extravagance in all areas. Specifically, we must focus on conservation in the use of water reserves and transform this into a general culture; because today, water is not just a comfort, but is seen as a capital that meets the greatest of human needs. The shortage of drinking water is considered one of the threats brought about by global climate change. When we listen to the results of statistics and scientific research in this field, we realize why the Glorious Scripture has emphasized this so much and warned of conditions where waters recede and people grapple with the suffering of water scarcity.

Closing Supplication

In conclusion, while offering prayers for the souls of the victims of these incidents, I ask the Merciful God for patience and reward for their families, and I wish days of happiness and prosperity for all our dear people.