WHO Alert on Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Health Emergency

Estimated 24 mothers die each day of preventable maternal mortality causes under the current funding, and this number is projected to rise dramatically, WHO Afghanistan said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new Alert calling for increased investment in healthcare service provision in Afghanistan, particularly in underserved areas that are severely under-resourced and vulnerable due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Estimated 24 mothers die each day of preventable maternal mortality causes under the current funding, and this number is projected to rise dramatically, WHO Afghanistan said.

WHO added that according to 2021 estimates, 167 infants die each day of preventable child mortality causes, and this number is expected to increase if funding continues to decrease.

WHO Afghanistan said, “After decades of instability, exacerbated by severe drought and natural disasters, Afghanistan is currently facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with millions of people living with poor or no access to health and food, putting them at severe risk of malnutrition and disease outbreaks”, adding that the revised Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 reveals an alarming increase in the number of people in urgent need of humanitarian aid, with 28.8 million people requiring immediate assistance, up from 18.4 million prior to August 2021.

“The WHO Alert highlights the dire consequences that will result if underfunding continues in Afghanistan’s healthcare system. WHO will require an additional USD 125 million in funding to continue to sustain basic health needs for the remainder of 2023”, according to WHO.