Funding Shortfall Forces Hundreds of Health Facilities to Close Across Afghanistan

Funding Shortfall Forces Hundreds of Health Facilities to Close Across Afghanistan
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More than 570 health facilities across Afghanistan have closed or suspended operations since the beginning of 2025 due to declining international funding, cutting off medical services for more than 3.3 million people, according to figures compiled from World Health Organization reports.

The WHO said 422 health facilities closed across 30 provinces in 2025, while another 150 have stopped operating since the start of 2026. The closures include clinics, mobile health teams, and nutrition services, further weakening Afghanistan’s fragile health system.

According to the WHO, its Afghanistan health response requires $190.8 million in 2026, but only 17 percent of that funding had been secured by June. The suspension of major U.S. assistance and reduced support from other donors have contributed to the crisis.

The impact is especially severe in remote and poor areas, where families often have no alternative when local clinics close. Women and children remain among the most vulnerable, particularly as access to vaccination and maternal health services declines.

The WHO has estimated that 14.4 million people in Afghanistan will need health assistance in 2026. Without urgent additional funding, officials warn that more communities could lose access to even basic medical care.