Millions of Afghans face a danger as their weak health system encounters a funding deficiency, according to the World Health Organization.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in Afghanistan, predicting that nearly half of the country's population, approximately 22.9 million people, will require humanitarian assistance in 2025.
The fragile and under-resourced healthcare system in Afghanistan, according to Dr. Luo Dapeng, the WHO Representative in the country, is unable to cope with the scale of the need alone. The WHO's latest report highlights the risk of outbreaks of polio, malaria, COVID-19, diarrheal disease, and other infections in Afghanistan.
The crisis in Afghanistan is particularly acute in rural areas, where many communities lack access to basic services. UNICEF reports that over 875,000 Afghan children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition, increasing their vulnerability to disease.
Humanitarian analysts warn that unless urgent funding is secured, the crisis in Afghanistan could escalate ahead of winter. Current plans only cover assistance for 16.8 million people, leaving a funding gap of $2.42 billion.
The influx of refugees from neighbouring countries is further straining Afghanistan's healthcare system. Approximately 1.6 million Afghans are expected to return from Pakistan, and nearly 2 million from Iran in 2022.
The WHO's warning comes as global malaria deaths reached over 600,000 in 2022, according to the organization. The crisis in Afghanistan could see a surge in malaria cases if prevention measures falter.
The WHO has urged the international community to increase support due to the urgent situation. The organization is working closely with the Afghan government and other partners to ensure that essential health services are available to those who need them most.
As the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, the WHO's warning serves as a call to action for the international community to provide the necessary funding and support to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
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