The United Nations announced on Tuesday that it is requesting an exemption from Afghanistan's telecommunications blackout, which began on Monday. UN humanitarian coordinator Indrika Ratwatte said the shutdown disrupts essential aid delivery and daily operations in the impoverished nation. Afghanistan faces ongoing humanitarian emergencies from prolonged conflict, drought, a recent earthquake and millions of refugees returning from Pakistan and Iran.
The UN has shifted to emergency operations mode, utilizing radio communications and reducing activities. Ratwatte told journalists from Kabul that authorities have not provided an explanation for the service disruption. The blackout affects medical care, supply chains, vaccination programs and basic services across Afghanistan.
Banking systems and international money transfers ceased to function during the outage. The UN reports its landlines are also down, creating severe communication problems. Ratwatte said that even government officials struggle to contact one another. International air travel to Afghanistan has been suspended because of the blackout.
The UN has shifted to emergency operations mode, utilizing radio communications and reducing activities. Ratwatte told journalists from Kabul that authorities have not provided an explanation for the service disruption. The blackout affects medical care, supply chains, vaccination programs and basic services across Afghanistan.
Banking systems and international money transfers ceased to function during the outage. The UN reports its landlines are also down, creating severe communication problems. Ratwatte said that even government officials struggle to contact one another. International air travel to Afghanistan has been suspended because of the blackout.
