The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that daily, 24 mothers and 167 children across Afghanistan die from preventable diseases related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The organisation warned that these numbers will increase if aid funding is reduced.

The WHO stated that an additional $352 million is needed to address serious risks, bringing the total required budget to $423 million for the years 2024 and 2025.

Due to a severe budget shortfall, the WHO reported that 428 fixed and mobile health centres were closed in Afghanistan in 2023. The closure of these health centres has had a devastating impact on access to healthcare for more than three million people, including over 600,000 children under five and more than 240,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Currently, 310 health centres across Afghanistan are facing challenges due to a lack of funds.

Afghan citizens are struggling with infectious diseases, recent droughts, and floods, leading to food shortages and malnutrition. Women and children are among the most vulnerable groups.

The WHO also warned that the ban on education for girls in schools and universities will further deteriorate the situation for women in Afghanistan.