The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that the infant mortality rate in Kandahar province is higher than the national average, raising serious concerns about the impact of declining humanitarian support in Afghanistan.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, UNICEF warned that the ongoing suspension of aid is contributing to the rising number of newborn deaths. The agency emphasized that it has been providing medical equipment and essential medications for infants in Kandahar from the very first day of life.
Simultaneously, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, issued a stark warning regarding the consequences of aid reductions. He stated that cutting assistance to Afghanistan is effectively “signing a death sentence for millions.”
Fletcher further noted that in recent months, approximately 400 health facilities have been forced to close due to funding shortfalls, leaving over three million people without access to vital healthcare services.
The termination of U.S. financial assistance has significantly impacted humanitarian organizations operating in Afghanistan. Many now face severe budget constraints, pushing them toward downsizing or complete shutdown of operations.
You can read the Persian version of this news here:
یونیسف: میزان مرگومیر نوزادان در قندهار بیشتر از میانگین است | روزنامه ۸صبح
