WHO Calls on Taliban to Lift Restrictions on Female Aid Workers After Afghanistan Earthquakes
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Afghanistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urgently appealed to the Taliban to lift restrictions on female aid workers in Afghanistan, highlighting the devastating impact these rules are having on humanitarian relief efforts in earthquake-affected regions.
The call comes after a series of powerful earthquakes in Kunar province left more than 2,200 dead and thousands injured. With entire villages destroyed, survivors—many of them women and children—are in dire need of medical care, food, and shelter.
Restrictions on Female Staff
Since late 2022, the Taliban has barred women from working with NGOs and placed heavy restrictions on their mobility, requiring them to be accompanied by male guardians. According to WHO, these policies are severely undermining healthcare delivery. In rural Afghanistan, where cultural norms make it difficult for male doctors to treat women, female healthcare workers are critical.
Reports suggest that only 10% of medical staff in quake-hit areas are women, mostly midwives and nurses. The shortage is so severe that WHO estimates at least 80 health facilities have been forced to shut down since the restrictions came into effect.
WHO’s Warning
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated:
“Humanitarian principles demand inclusivity. Without female health workers, half the population is denied life-saving care. We urge the Taliban to remove these restrictions immediately.”
Women’s Role in Recovery
Female aid workers are vital not just in healthcare but also in distributing food, managing shelters, and providing psychosocial support. Without them, women and children—the most vulnerable groups—are cut off from essential aid.
International Concern
Global humanitarian organizations have echoed WHO’s concerns, warning that Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis could worsen unless restrictions are lifted. Donors are also hesitant to expand funding while female staff remain sidelined, further limiting relief operations.
Outlook
For Afghanistan, already grappling with poverty, instability, and now natural disasters, the path forward requires inclusivity. The international community continues to pressure the Taliban, but the situation remains uncertain.