OCHA warns of funding shortfall for health services in remote areas of Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that a persistent funding shortfall is seriously affecting the ability of aid agencies to provide life-saving health services to millions of people in need in Afghanistan.

OCHA said mobile health teams, supported by the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, are providing services in remote parts of the country to residents who have little access to health centres. According to the agency, these teams play an important role in delivering urgent and life-saving care to these areas.

However, OCHA stressed that health needs in Afghanistan are greater than the resources available. According to the agency, of the $191 million required for the health sector, only $71 million has been secured so far, equivalent to 37% of total needs.

OCHA added that the continuation of this funding gap could severely limit the capacity of humanitarian agencies and prevent millions of needy Afghans from accessing essential health services. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is responsible for coordinating emergency aid in humanitarian crises.