The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recently announced that with the suspension of U.S. financial assistance, 9 million women in Afghanistan will no longer have access to maternal healthcare and broader health services.
In a message posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, July 23, UNFPA called for continued financial support, warning that the progress made in reducing maternal mortality in Afghanistan is at risk of being reversed.
The statement added: “The halt in future funding comes in addition to termination warnings the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has already received for over 40 humanitarian grants. These grants, totaling approximately $335 million, provide essential maternal healthcare, protection from violence, treatment for sexual assault, and other life-saving services in over 20 countries and crisis regions.”
It further stated: “This funding reduction will have a devastating impact on women and girls around the world.”
Previously, UNFPA had said in another statement that over 6.3 million women would be deprived of maternal and wider health services if U.S. aid were cut.
The organization noted that the United States had become one of its most significant partners, contributing an average of $180 million annually.
According to available reports, humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has declined. The U.S., which was the largest donor to the country, cut its aid to Afghanistan and other poor countries following the rise of Donald Trump.
Additionally, restrictions imposed on women and girls have dealt a severe blow to Afghanistan’s already struggling economy.
At the same time, the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continues — a situation that is further worsening the crisis.
