UN releases emergency funds for Afghanistan's health care system

The United Nations on Wednesday announced the release of 45 million U.S. dollars in emergency funds to help prevent Afghanistan's health care system from collapse.

"Allowing Afghanistan's health care delivery system to fall apart would be disastrous. People across the country would be denied access to primary health care such as emergency caesarian sections and trauma care," said UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths in a statement.

The funding will go to the World Health Organization and the UN Children's Fund, and will keep health care facilities, including hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, operating until the end of the year, he said.

The UN is determined to stand by the people of Afghanistan in their hour of need, said Griffiths.