UN expresses concern over potential increase in infectious diseases in Afghanistan

Geneva. – WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic assured today that the United Nations Health Organization is particularly Worries about increased likelihood of infectious diseases after 6.3-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks The incident has rocked Afghanistan’s western Herat province since Saturday.

Jens Laerke, spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), told a news conference in Geneva that the earthquake had affected at least 12,000 people. Most of those affected were located in five districts of Sindarjan province, the epicenter of the quake.

The accident in Herat region has left nearly 1,300 people dead, 1,700 injured and nearly 500 missing.

“With the support of international partners, search and rescue operations are underway to locate the nearly 500 people who remain missing in the area,” Announce.

In addition, 100% of the houses in the area have been completely destroyed, making search and rescue efforts difficult, and the death toll is likely to increase in the coming hours, the spokesman added.

Humanitarian agencies such as the World Health Organization or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are also on the scene to speed up relief efforts, caring for victims and transporting residents to safer areas.

“At least 2,100 people have been temporarily housed in shelters, where drinking water is limited and space is crowded,” This was emphasized by WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevich, who in this sense underlined the United Nations’ concerns about a possible increase in infectious diseases.

Within hours of the first earthquake, WHO transported 25 tons of medicines and medical supplies from its warehouse in Kabul to treat a total of 650 injured in Herat regional hospitals.

Twelve ambulances and 54 mobile medical teams were also mobilized in coordination with other health agencies to provide immediate services, evacuate victims to primary health centers and assess health needs in the most affected areas.

“More supplies are on the way, including supplies for surgical care, supplementary sanitation facilities, and treatment of infectious diseases such as cholera and measles, as well as pneumonia and severe malnutrition,” the WHO spokesperson added.

The IFRC deployed 16 mobile health centers to provide psychological care to displaced people and families of victims.