First WHO shipment of medicine, supplies arrives in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover

The World Health Organization (WHO) has completed its first shipment of medicine and other supplies to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover of the country, regional director Ahmed Al-Mandhari confirmed on Monday.

The supplies include trauma and emergency kits, enough to help about 200,000 Afghan civilians in need and provide 3,500 surgical procedures for 6,500 trauma patients, according to Reuters. 

“After days of non-stop work to find a solution, I am very pleased to say that we have now been able to partially replenish stocks of health facilities in Afghanistan and ensure that — for now — WHO-supported health services can continue,” Al-Mandhari said in a statement. 

The agency added that it will send the supplies to 40 health facilities in the 29 provinces of the country, Reuters reported. 

The Taliban took over the capital of Kabul earlier this month, regaining full control of Afghanistan for the first time since 2001, when U.S. troops arrived in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

There’s only one day remaining in the U.S.’s full withdrawal from Afghanistan. Tensions are running high in the aftermath of a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport on Thursday, which killed 13 U.S. service members and countless Afghan civilians.

–Updated 4:22 p.m.