Misbah Ali

Amidst the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has informed that there has been a dip in coronavirus testing and vaccinations in the troubled nation and that around 1.6 million doses of vaccine could expire in near future.

“Since August, @WHO has sent life-saving medicines and medical supplies to 360 health facilities in #Afghanistan to cover the #health needs of 3.9 million people,” WHO’s regional office tweeted.

On October 6, 2021, the global health body delivered supplies to two hospitals in Kabul and the UN agency’s provincial offices for onward distribution.

“Today, supplies were sent to 2 hospitals in #Kabul and @WHO provincial offices for onward distribution. The supplies will cover the health needs of 50,000 people in #Afghanistan,” WHO said in another tweet.

This comes as UN humanitarian agencies and their partners advised nations to honour their pledges to Afghanistan, as they rush to scale up delivery of lifesaving aid ahead of the coming winter season there.

The country has suffered decades of conflict and displacement, as well as chronic poverty, severe drought, and now the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly half the population that includes over 18 million people require aid to survive, while conflict and insecurity have displaced over 3.5 million, with nearly 700,000 uprooted this year alone.