André Saberton, the Executive Deputy Director of the UN Population Fund for Afghanistan, has warned that every two hours, a mother in the country loses her life due to preventable complications related to pregnancy.
Mr. Saberton made these remarks at a meeting in New York, stating that the reduction in humanitarian aid funding for Afghanistan means “losing lives and lives less lived.”
He emphasized that during his visit, he observed UN-supported services in Kabul, Bamiyan, and along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
André Saberton referred to a $330 million budget cut for the UN Population Fund globally, adding that $102 million of this amount will directly impact the agency’s activities in Afghanistan.
The Executive Deputy Director of the UN Population Fund for Afghanistan clarified that most of this budget was intended for family health and mobile care services, both of which are essential in Afghanistan, currently facing one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
This UN official estimated that 6.9 million women and children in Afghanistan will be affected by this budget cut, and the UN Population Fund will only be able to support 400 out of 900 health centers.
According to him, despite these challenges, the UN Population Fund will remain in Afghanistan and continue to provide lifesaving care to those in need.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health of the interim government issued a statement rejecting the remarks of the UNFPA deputy and stated that these claims are unrealistic and that the statistics provided by this agency lack accurate evidence and are unfair.
The ministry noted that since the current government’s takeover, special attention has been given to maternal and child health in the country.
