Afghanistan crisis: Conflict, displacement, drought and COVID-19 contributing to desperate situation, say WHO, UNICEF
In a joint statement, the WHO and UNICEF said that as the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan increase, the abilities to respond to those needs are rapidly declining.
Amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on Sunday (August 22) called for assistance to deliver critical health supplies to the crisis-stricken country. In a joint statement, WHO Regional Director for Eastern and Mediterranean Region, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, and UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei said that as the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan increase, the abilities to respond to those needs are rapidly declining.
A US troop provides security during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul
A baby is handed over to the American army over the perimeter wall of the airport in Kabul
"While the main focus over the past days has been major air operations for the evacuation of internationals and vulnerable Afghans, the massive humanitarian needs facing the majority of the population should not - and cannot – be neglected," the WHO and UNICEF said in a joint statement.
They stated that even prior to the events of the past weeks, Afghanistan represented the world's third-largest humanitarian operation, with over 18 million people requiring assistance.
(Photo: Reuters)
A woman walking with her child during evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul
US troops stand guard at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul
Situation in Afghanistan remains grim since Taliban took over
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops after a 20-year war. A NATO official said at least 20 people had died in the past seven days in and around the Kabul airport which has been hugely crowded since the Taliban's control.
(Photo: Reuters)