UN says US aid cut could result in 1,200 more Afghan maternal deaths by 2028

A key United Nations health agency has warned that Washington's decision to cut aid could lead to 1,200 additional maternal deaths in Afghanistan by 2028. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) expressed deep concern over the loss of funding, which is expected to have a severe impact on maternal health and family planning services in the country. 

 Pio Smith, UNFPA regional director for Asia and the Pacific said "Obviously, we're pretty concerned about that substantial loss in funding. With respect to the amount of lives that are impacted by this, again, if I've just take the example of Afghanistan, between 2025 and 2028, we estimate that the absence of US support will result in 1,200 additional maternal deaths and 109,000 additional unintended pregnancies."

The funding reduction has already affected UN agencies providing humanitarian assistance to nearly 23 million Afghans, with efforts ongoing to address the situation.