UN to allocate $45M in aid for Afghan healthcare system

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will provide $45 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, Report informs referring to ReliefWeb.

“I am releasing $45 million in life-saving support from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to help prevent Afghanistan’s healthcare system from collapse,” Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said in a statement.

“Medicines, medical supplies and fuel are running out in Afghanistan. Cold chains are compromised. Essential healthcare workers are not being paid. Allowing Afghanistan’s healthcare delivery system to fall apart would be disastrous. People across the country would be denied access to primary health care such as emergency caesarian sections and trauma care. The funding will go to WHO and UNICEF and - working through national and international NGOs - will keep healthcare facilities, including hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, operating until the end of the year. The UN is determined to stand by the people of Afghanistan in their hour of need,” he added.