Afghanistan got struck with multiple disease epidemics

According to media sources quoting a recent World Health Organization (WHO) study, Afghanistan is dealing with various disease outbreaks, including Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD), measles, Congo fever, dengue fever, and Covid-19.

According to the WHO study, there has been a significant increase in acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases nationally, according to Afghanistan’s local media outlet Khaama Press. Almost 19,050 cases of AWD have been verified in several provinces across Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Jawzjan Ghazni, Kandahar, and Zabul.

Despite a decrease in frequency, all provinces continue to report measles cases. According to the data, there are a total of 64,654 cases of measles in Afghanistan.

Congo fever, also known as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), has spread throughout Afghanistan, mainly in 13 provinces in the southern, south-eastern, eastern, and central areas, with 229 confirmed cases and six deaths.

In July 2022, new dengue fever cases in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar region skyrocketed.

In order to respond to the diseases, medical emergencies, and natural catastrophes that are expected to strike Afghanistan in July 2022, WHO is reaching out to the nation, giving resources, and strengthening its capacities.

Another disastrous incident occurred in Afghanistan on July 18, 2022, when a 5.1 aftershock devastated the south-eastern districts of Khost and Paktika.

This was on top of the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that happened on June 22, 2022, injuring over 361,000 people and killing 1036.

United Nations for Afghanistan

The United Nations has committed USD 10 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Funds (UNCERF) to assist Afghans devastated by the earthquake that rocked the country’s east.

The Bahrain-based Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) has reached an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to send humanitarian assistance to those in Afghanistan impacted by the recent earthquake.

India has also delivered relief supplies to Afghan people who had been impacted by the earthquake.

The relief aid handed over by the Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh, included basic materials such as family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, and other items to help the people of Afghanistan in earthquake-affected areas.

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India has sent a technical team to the Embassy in Kabul to coordinate stakeholders’ efforts to provide humanitarian supplies.

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