Kabul, 11 November 2021 (TDI): The United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) extended its support to Afghan workers. Taliban took control of Afghanistan in mid-august. Since then the international community support came to a halt. The health workers were facing a crisis in a wracked nation. The support of UNDP sends a “message of hope” to millions.
Lifeline for families
UNDP under an agreement with the Global Fund, has extended a lifeline to Afghanistan’s health care system. It provided $15million to assist the Afghan healthcare sector. Certainly, this support will avoid the collapse of the entire healthcare sector.
Afghanistan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis. Moreover, the coming winters will make things worse. In addition to these funds, UNDP has also paid for medicines and health supplies. The healthcare workers can buy blankets other materials to keep families safe.
The UN Deputy Resident Representative in Afghanistan, Surayo Buzurukova, told UN News that UNDP undertook this enormous challenge to help prevent the total collapse of the health system. Moreover, she mentioned, “it cannot solve all the problems however, we are sending a message of hope to the Afghan people that not everything is lost, that they have not been forgotten.”
Logistics
There is a significant financial aid package for the health sector. Agency combined several cash transfer instruments to overcome the barriers presented by the liquidity shortage in the Afghan banking system. Over 90 percent of the workers received their salary directly into their bank accounts. Those located in remote areas received the payment in cash.
Continue the work
Millions of Afghans continue to be at risk of losing access to primary healthcare. The agency hopes to provide aid to keeping healthcare operational in the crisis-wracked country.
Buzurukova mentioned that the agency was in “very close communication” with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children Fund (UNICEF).
About 800,000 civil servants went unpaid for months. Most importantly, this project helps other groups whose work is key to keeping the country running.
A solution
The abrupt cutoff of foreign funding is threatening the entire economy. On the other hand, international organizations and States who provide aid, remain reluctant to work with the Taliban authorities. UN Secretary-General in October stressed the international community to “find ways to make the economy breathe again”. Meanwhile, the UNDP initiative provides one possible, albeit a temporary solution.
Faith in future
The Deputy Representative visited Mazār-i-Sharīf. It is the fourth-largest city in Afghanistan. She visited a hospital to see the impact the new initiative is having. Moreover, She was particularly interested in talking to women workers.
Women’s rights are one of the integral concerns for the United Nations since the Taliban takeover. She mentioned Afghans will overcome the challenges. There’s is faith in the future.
Humanitarian catastrophe
Afghanistan faced recurrent natural disasters, chronic poverty for forty years. Along with drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. These disasters have devastated the people of Afghanistan. Moreover, The recent escalation in the conflict has only exacerbated needs. It further complicated an extremely challenging context.
The humanitarian situation was one of the worst in the world even before 15 August. Nearly half of the population was already in need of humanitarian assistance.
The recent political instability in Afghanistan has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. For instance, One in three Afghans is facing emergency levels of food insecurity. More than half of all children under five were expected to face acute malnutrition.
There are Protection and safety risks to civilians ad people of all gender. The discriminated groups particularly, women, children, and people with disabilities are on record risk levels.
