Kandahar Vaccinators Report Two Months of Unpaid Salaries

DID Press: Local sources in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province say vaccinators have not received their salaries for the past two months, leaving many workers and their families facing increased financial hardship.

According to the sources, vaccinators typically earn between 3,000 and 5,000 Afghanis per month, with many relying on the income to cover basic household expenses. The reported delay has therefore placed additional pressure on their livelihoods.

The vaccinators have also accused the Taliban authorities of interfering in their work and of recruiting relatives and associates for vaccination campaigns. They allege that workers who raise concerns about unpaid salaries or working conditions risk being dismissed and replaced by people close to the Taliban.

The sources further said funding for vaccination programmes is provided by international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, while implementation and technical management are handled by Taliban authorities. WHO and UNICEF have long supported immunization programmes in southern Afghanistan, including Kandahar.

Current job listings also confirm that vaccination programmes continue to operate in Kandahar, with vaccinators being recruited for routine immunization and polio activities.

The Taliban authorities have not publicly commented on the reported salary delays or the allegations of interference and preferential recruitment.