The closure of over 200 health facilities in Afghanistan, due to significant cuts in US foreign assistance, has led to a dire humanitarian crisis affecting 1.84 million people. Announced by President Trump, the freeze on aid has resulted in 80% of USAID programs being cancelled, particularly impacting health services like vaccinations and maternal care. The WHO reports that in regions already facing high poverty and disease rates, over a third of health clinics are now closed. The situation is worsened by Taliban restrictions on women traveling for medical care, and predicts further health crises as malnutrition and disease outbreaks rise.
In Afghanistan, where health clinics have closed in 28 out of 34 provinces, this is leading to an escalating humanitarian crisis, according to the WHO.
Ajyal Sultany, head of communications at WHO in Afghanistan, said: The closure of health facilities is compounding these crises, with displaced and marginalised communities facing heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care.
In the worst-affected regions — north, west and north-east Afghanistan — more than a third of health clinics have now shut down, according to the WHO.
Malnutrition is likely to worsen as feeding schemes are shut down.
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