The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the closure of 167 health centers in 25 provinces by March 4 due to lack of funds and estimates that, for the same reason, another 220 centers could suffer the same fate by June, which would affect the most vulnerable populations: women, children, the elderly, displaced persons and returnees.

With the first quarter of 2025 coming to an end, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan, coordinated by the United Nations (UN) and with a budget for this year of 2.4 billion dollars, has so far only 13 percent of that amount.

Since before the current funding crisis, Afghanistan has been facing health emergencies, including outbreaks of measles, malaria, dengue, polio and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic yellow fever.

According to WHO data, more than 16,000 suspected cases of measles were reported in January and February 2025, including 111 deaths.

Children are at greater risk of falling ill and dying due to this disease, as vaccination only covers 51 percent of the child population for the first dose and 37 percent for the second dose.

At the current juncture, the UN Security Council decided on Monday to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for another year after agencies reported sharp drops in financial resources to sustain vital aid.

The UN News report noted that the body expressed ‘serious concern’ over the continued presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and called for combatting the production, trade and trafficking of illicit drugs and chemicals used to manufacture narcotics.

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