Dr Rabia Noor
More than 250,000 inhabitants are said to have been displaced inside Afghanistan since May – with 80,000 children. About 17 million people confronting food insecurity and two million children at severe risk of developing dangers of malnourishment.
Afghan civilians had remained to be targeted victims of the armed dispute and there are considerable health, humanitarian, and security demands in the country. People working for better health should restart their work for the benefits of their country, as the civilians need it most at this time, as a new era is emerging. As it is understood that consequences of war and conflicts bring about minimal access to health care and gaps to essential health services. The health challenges confronted by those disturbed by conflict and displacement also come against the conditions of a catastrophe of hunger from latest drought in Afghanistan, with 17 million people confronting food insecurity and 2 million children at risk of developing malnourishment. Deprived of available and accessible health care or humanitarian aid, the health concerns of repeated conflict and displacement, blended with the COVID-19 pandemic, are now getting more prone to become extra catastrophic. Standard health indices, comprising the infant, childhood and maternal mortality rate, are already the worst in the world.
By holding Afghanistan’s international assets, the financial situation in the country is set to worsen precipitously, with civilians enduring the burden of heightened hardship and poverty. There should be a prompt and efficient action by international governments and organisations to the serious health and humanitarian needs of both those in Afghanistan and those who are exiting the country. The report defines crucial action steps to avert deterioration of Afghanistan’s health and humanitarian crisis. Afghanistan has one of the world’s highest rates of stunting in children under five years of age that is about 41 percent. The amount of wasting, the dangerous symptom of acute malnutrition, in Afghanistan is exceptionally elevated as much as 9.5 per cent. Humanitarian and health crisis in any region should not be ignored.
This catastrophe may possibly highly affect the health status and peace in neighbouring Pakistan as well. As Pakistan too is confronting numerous struggles. Malnutrition and displacement by conflicts had been going on in Pakistan while a few years. About half of the children in Pakistan are malnourished, leading to mental and physical health problems. Malnutrition triggered about 54 percent of children’s deaths, there are 10.7 million victims of malnutrition in Pakistan. Pakistan is positioned in stunting growth index on 2nd number after Afghanistan while it is the worst in all indicators of stunting, wasting, underweight and exclusive breastfeeding. Both the countries are facing malnutrition because of poverty and displacement. If poverty is not alleviated there will be a stunted generation raised in both the neighbouring countries. Poverty can only be alleviated if the peace process is stabilised in Afghanistan that can bring a positive impact on stability, and economic development in Pakistan also.
As the world is facing covid pandemic seriously. Both the countries could be more effected by it as were affected by Polio virus. A former Afghan public health chief has cautioned the country might turn into a global Covid-19 danger zone and malnourishment would be on high rise unless the world’s governments and aid organisations act to counteract a frightening humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan.
The main point is to end war and start to emphasise on the health and development of the country. New conflicts and battles should not be fuelled in the country as implementing the peace process should be the utmost priority in the region. Humanitarian and health crisis should be tackled promptly and let peace prevail in the region.
