WHO brings in first aid to north Afghanistan

AP , Monday 30 Aug 2021

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients

WHO supplies to Afghanistan
File Photo: WHO delivers essential medical supplies and equipment to Afghanistan (Courtesy of the Official Website of WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean)

A plane provided by the government of Pakistan has brought medicine and health supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

WHO said Monday's shipment was the first of medical supplies to land in Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban two weeks ago.

The plane, which departed from Dubai, landed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients. It said the supplies will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan.

The plane was loaded with supplies by WHO's logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. WHO said that ``a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required.''

``The demanding humanitarian work of meeting the needs of tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans who remain in the country is now beginning,'' the agency added.

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