Afghanistan Peace CampaignIn a report, the organization stated that it has also suspended life-saving programs for malnourished children due to funding cuts.
Save the Children has announced the closure of 18 health centers in Afghanistan and added that 14 more will be shut down in the coming month due to a reduction in foreign aid.
In a report, the organization stated that it has also suspended life-saving programs for malnourished children due to funding cuts.
The report reads: “In Afghanistan, the loss of funding has already led to the closure of 18 health facilities supported by Save the Children and its partner. Only 14 Save the Children clinics have enough funding to remain open for one more month, and without new financial support, they will be forced to close. These 32 clinics supported over 134,000 children in January alone.”
Save the Children has urged world leaders, partners, and people across the globe to financially invest in children and their future.
Meanwhile, families of malnourished children are deeply concerned about the situation.
“We took our child to the doctor. The doctor said he is severely underweight and in the red zone. Later, they provided some supplies for our child, and now he is slightly better,” Lalagul, the father of a sick child, told TOLOnews.
“This situation will lead to an increase in infectious diseases, worsening malnutrition, and a severe decline in maternal and newborn care. Ultimately, these factors will heighten the risk of maternal and infant mortality in the country,” said Rohullah Haris, a doctor in Kabul.
This comes as the US President has signed an executive order suspending US foreign aid for three months. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday that 83% of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) budget has been revoked following a six-week review.