WHO warns 90% of Afghanistan’s 2,300 healthcare centers may be forced to close

Geneva, September 7 (RHC)-- The World Health Organization warns more than 2,000 healthcare centers across Afghanistan may soon be forced to close — at least temporarily — because their donors are barred from working with the Taliban. 

WHO regional emergency director Rick Brennan said:  "That will be associated with an increase in illness and death, we would expect, and also rolling back the tremendous health gains of the last 20 years.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. is negotiating with the Taliban for the safe passage of U.S. citizens and some Afghans to leave aboard charter flights.

A team of engineers from Qatar is working with the Taliban to restore service to Kabul’s main airport.  Domestic flights have resumed, but international civilian flights remain on hold due to damage to the airport’s radar and navigation systems.