Connect with us

Latest News

WHO urges IEA to lift female aid worker restrictions after deadly quake

The 6.0-magnitude quake on September 1 killed more than 2,200 people, injured over 3,600, and left thousands homeless in eastern Afghanistan.

Published

on

earthquake

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate authorities to ease restrictions on female aid workers, saying their presence is vital in delivering medical assistance to women affected by last week’s powerful earthquake.

The 6.0-magnitude quake on September 1 killed more than 2,200 people, injured over 3,600, and left thousands homeless in eastern Afghanistan.

With most medical staff in the area being men, WHO officials warn that Afghan women are struggling to access care due to cultural barriers and rules requiring a male guardian for travel.

“A very big issue now is the increasing paucity of female staff in these places,” Dr. Mukta Sharma, deputy representative of WHO in Afghanistan, told Reuters. She said roughly 90% of available health workers in the area were men, while the remaining 10% were mostly midwives and nurses rather than doctors equipped to treat serious injuries.

Restrictions on women’s work have compounded the problem. In 2022, the Islamic Emirate barred Afghan women from working for NGOs, though limited exemptions were granted in health and education. Humanitarian groups say those exemptions are inconsistent, leaving aid agencies uncertain and often unable to deploy female staff when emergencies strike.

“The restrictions are huge, the mahram (male guardian) issue continues and no formal exemption has been provided by the de facto authorities,” Sharma said. “This is the time you really need to have more female health workers present, let us bring them in.”

Community members say the absence of female doctors has already worsened the crisis. “There is no female doctor for examinations; only one male doctor is available,” said Peer Gul, a resident of Kunar’s Somai district, one of the hardest-hit areas.

WHO also warned that the situation threatens women’s long-term access to mental health care, particularly for those who lost male relatives in the quake and now face restrictions without a guardian. The shortage of female doctors is expected to deepen, with women currently barred from secondary school and university education.

The United Nations estimates that around 11,600 pregnant women were impacted by the quake. Afghanistan already suffers one of Asia’s highest maternal mortality rates, while recent cuts in foreign aid have forced the closure of dozens of health facilities in quake-affected provinces.

The Afghan health ministry and IEA spokespersons have not yet commented. The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said it respects women’s rights under its interpretation of Islamic law and has pledged that women will continue to receive aid.

Latest News

Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead

The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.

Published

on

Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.

According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.

The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.

In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.

According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.

Continue Reading

Latest News

UN Secretary-General condemns Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.

Published

on

The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation center for addicts in Kabul and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The attack, which occurred on March 16, reportedly left over 600 people killed or injured, according to local sources.

In an official statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on March 16, which reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians at a medical facility.”

Haq added that Guterres has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, while offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need to reduce tensions and immediately halt hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions in accordance with the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.

This development comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary cessation of hostilities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a move that regional officials hope will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in both countries.

Continue Reading

Latest News

IEA Supreme Leader: Afghanistan’s victory lies in faith and National unity

Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.

Published

on

Eid al-Fitr prayers were held on Thursday at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with a large number of residents attending the ceremony.

During his sermon, Akhundzada said that if the people of Afghanistan were meant to be destroyed by bombardments and military attacks, it would have happened during the wars with the Soviet Union and the United States.

According to the Islamic Emirate leader, the key to Afghanistan’s victory and resilience lies in reliance on Islam, preservation of religious beliefs, and unity among the people. He stressed that by adhering to Islamic values, no country would be able to harm Afghanistan.

Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.

At the same time, he urged government officials to ensure justice in their duties, warning that no system can survive through oppression. He added that the implementation of decrees and laws is necessary to reform society and maintain order in the country.

The Islamic Emirate leader further said that without Islam, Afghanistan could have remained under the control of the United States and NATO, but now, according to him, the country stands as an independent and free nation.

In the economic section of his remarks, Akhundzada called on traders to avoid hoarding goods and instead assist fellow Muslims in difficult times. He warned that individuals found hoarding commodities for up to 40 days would face legal consequences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Ariana News. All rights reserved!