Red Cross chief warns Afghan communities face dire humanitarian crisis

During a recent visit to Kabul, Yasmine Praz Dessimoz, the International Committee of the Red Cross director of operations, called on the world to maintain support for Afghan populations amid a deepening humanitarian emergency. She described a collapsing health infrastructure, noting that one million children face life-threatening malnutrition and 3.7 million are acutely malnourished, according to UNICEF. International aid reductions have led to the shutdown of 100 child-malnutrition clinics, prompting the ICRC to prioritize its remaining 46 clinics and seven rehabilitation centres.

Dessimoz emphasized the importance of women health workers, warning that Taliban bans on education beyond primary school and on certain professions jeopardize future care provision. The official also discussed cross-border issues along the Durand Line, where conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan displaces thousands. Meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi focused on sustaining dialogue and assistance.