Afghanistan Facing New Migration Wave Amid Health Crisis

DID Press: Afghanistan is confronting a growing humanitarian emergency as hundreds of healthcare facilities close and millions are left without access to medical services, according to international observers.

International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that continued reductions in foreign aid and persistent instability in governance are pushing the country’s healthcare system toward collapse. In 2025 alone, at least 422 health centers have ceased operations due to funding cuts and a lack of operational support.

The closures have deprived over three million Afghanistan population of basic health services, particularly women and children in rural and marginalized areas. Vital services such as maternal care, childbirth support, and vaccination programs are particularly affected.

Experts say the deteriorating health infrastructure could trigger a new wave of forced migration, as families leave their homes seeking treatment or safer living conditions. This exodus is placing additional pressure on neighboring countries and raising concerns about a potential regional crisis.

Alongside the health collapse, a lack of transparency in Taliban policies, reduced international support, and restrictions on civil space are exacerbating the situation.

The ICG has called for an immediate reassessment of international strategies to support the Afghan population, warning that continued inaction could have far-reaching humanitarian and security consequences.