UNDP Warns of Malaria Risk in Afghanistan’s Earthquake-Hit Eastern Provinces
Following a recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with partner agencies, has conducted a mission to the severely affected provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar. The visit aimed to assess the risk of malaria outbreaks and ensure local residents have access to diagnostic and treatment services.
According to UNDP, field assessments in vulnerable districts indicate that post-disaster environmental conditions—particularly stagnant water—may lead to increased malaria transmission. As a result, the international body has prioritized the provision of early diagnostic tools and effective treatment as a preventive health measure.
With the Taliban administration lacking adequate public health infrastructure and crisis management capabilities, international organizations’ presence in the disaster-stricken areas is deemed essential for addressing residents’ health concerns. The Taliban’s limited capacity to manage post-earthquake recovery has heightened fears of a rise in diseases, including malaria.
UNDP’s initiative underscores the critical role international organizations play in supporting Afghanistan’s vulnerable populations—particularly at a time when the Taliban not only lacks an effective response system but has, in many instances, obstructed meaningful humanitarian efforts.
