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| Children after crisis in Afghanistan |
Overview
Recent developments or national uncertainty developed in Afghanistan have taken heavy deaths and injuries on Afghan children and their families. Long running humanitarian crisis has become triple crisis; recent escalation in conflict, covid-19 and drought has cause whole health system to fail to operate smoothly.
Afghans are experiencing a very bad psychological condition. They are feeling tremendous fear and their health condition is getting worse and and worse.
Although already Afghanistan was most dangerous places in Asia in context of health facilities, recent escalation in conflict has intensified emergency situations of public health.
The combined impact of insecurity, internal displacement, poverty, covid-19, water scarcity is being felt by the most vulnerable: children including children with disabilities, women including pregnant women and elderly.
Baby ,child and mother are vulnerable. The access to a hospital or health facility is far beyond the reach of most of Afgans.
Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world and thousands of Afghan women die every year from pregnancy-related causes. This condition is worsen by the current uncertainty as Taliban militants captured the country.
The current uncertainty facing nation also has made uncertainty on health facilities, immunization for children, maternity care, international projects working there to assist health and other social sectors.
Now its time to see how UNICF performs its duty during this turmoil condition. Afghanistan uncertainty pose a threat to reach every child for their immunization, their nourishment and treatment .
Role of UNICEF for child and mother health in Afghanistan:
UNICEF with its office has completed more than half century on ground of Afghanistan to assist most vulnerable, especially child and mother.
So, UNICEF is a key organ in Afghanistan’s health system. It is continuing to work with its partners to support children and their families across the country. Despite the instability of the past few weeks, UNICEF is providing its services in most affected areas. It is trucking safe water to areas affected by drought.
Despite uncertainty and instability in Afghanistan UNICEF has committed to continue its work for children and families across the nation. As the lead United Nations agency UNICEF wants yo reach to children who needs health support in hardest area without any obstacles from conflicting parties. For its humanitarian works , UNICEF is advocating with all parties to conflict for safe and unhindered access, in line with the Core commitment for children in Humanitarian Action, so that they can deliver much needed support to the Afghan population.
UNICEF wants to strengthen health facilities by providing training and essential newborn care equipment and deploying qualified health personnels .
Millions of people are under needs os essential services, including health, lifesaving vacation against polio and measles ,nutrition, protection,shelter, water and sanitation. UNICEF therefore increasing its lifesaving programmes for children and women- including through the delivery of health, nutrition and water services to displaced families.
As a lead of United Nations, UNICF in Afghanistan is continuing its work through conflict and COVID-19. It is also calling to end attacks on children. It is advocating for hard-won girls rights ,including access to education. It requests all conflicting parties to establish peace and security for children.
UNICEF recently has predicted that more than 18 million people including 10 million children are under needs of humanitarian assistance. Organization also has predicted that 1 million children under age of 5 will be severely malnourished by the end of 2021.
UNICEF has also expressed its concerns over reports of escalating grave violation, including children being recruited by armed groups.
Challenges to UNICEF to run health programme in remote villages:
Recent developments in Afghanistan has added more challenges to UNICEF. It has following challenges:
- To reach remote areas to support vacation programmes
- To assist vaccination for pregnant women to prevent nine disease
- To run child nutrition programmes in remote areas
- To run mobile health camp in needed areas
- To support specialised maternity " waiting homes and rooms " programme among vulnerable group in remote villages.
