Afghanistan likely to face ’health disaster’ amid coronavirus

A US watchdog report warns that the coronavirus outbreak is likely to cause a health disaster in Afghanistan, which is still plagued by war, despite a peace deal between the Taliban and the US.

According to reports, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said in a report to the US Congress on Thursday that Afghanistan “will confront a health disaster in coming months.”

The county is facing “numerous and, in some cases, unique vulnerabilities,” it said, including “a weak health-care system, widespread malnutrition, porous borders, massive internal displacement, contiguity with Iran, and ongoing conflict.”

The spread of the coronavirus has now significantly impacted Afghanistan, according to the report.

Rising food prices in the impoverished country will likely worsen the crisis, Sopko said.

The country has so far confirmed nearly 2,200 cases of the infection and 64 deaths.

SS