WHO: 22 Million People in Afghanistan Need Humanitarian Assistance
Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), has said that more than 22 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, while around 14.4 million need healthcare services. In a post on X, she stated that due to funding shortages, nearly 150 health facilities have closed or suspended operations since the beginning of 2026, significantly affecting people’s access to essential healthcare. Balkhy also referred to her visit to Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar, where she met with doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers during a visit by the Polio Oversight Board delegation. She stressed that sustained international financial support is crucial to maintaining health services, combating polio, and delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need.
