WHO Urges Taliban to Allow Female Workers in Earthquake-Hit Afghanistan Amid ‘No Skin Contact’ Rule

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on the Afghan Taliban to lift restrictions on female aid workers in the wake of the deadly 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on September 1. The quake, along with its aftershocks, caused widespread destruction, claiming the lives of 2,200 people, injuring over 3,600, and displacing thousands. The WHO’s plea comes after reports emerged indicating that male rescuers were prohibited from having physical contact with women, hampering rescue efforts and medical aid delivery in the affected areas.