Afghanistan: Infectious respiratory disease outbreaks amid UN warning of fatal winter for unsheltered Afghans
The World Health Organization recently released a concerning report about the state of respiratory health in Afghanistan, confirming the country has witnessed a staggering number of deaths linked to acute respiratory diseases this year.
According to WHO, the total count stands at 2,513, with a vast majority of 82.2% of the deaths recorded being children.
The scope of the health issue is further illustrated by the overall number of cases registered across Afghanistan since January 2023, which stands at 1.2 million.
The situation may only deteriorate during the upcoming winter as the United Nations refugee agency is sounding the alarm over the risk of Afghans perishing in severe winter conditions if they lack proper shelter upon crossing the border from Pakistan.
The UN refugee agency, in a report released on Friday, cautioned, “Many Afghan returnees are vulnerable, including women and children, who could lose their lives in a harsh winter if left without adequate shelter. People arriving at the border are exhausted and require urgent assistance as well as psychosocial support.”
UN Women highlighted additional challenges for Afghan women and girls leaving Pakistan, dealing with Taliban restrictions that may affect their mobility and access to information and services without a male relative. Similar concerns were expressed after October’s deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan’s west.
