UN: Taliban’s Internet Blackout Killed Children in Afghanistan

A 12-page report by UNAMA details how the Taliban-ordered internet blackout on October 7-8 paralyzed Afghanistan’s healthcare system, causing preventable deaths. Key findings:

• At least 10 children died in hospitals due to no connectivity for emergency calls, blood transfusions, and doctor consultations.
• A pregnant woman lost her baby after severe bleeding—doctors couldn’t call for help due to no phone/internet.
• Hospitals ran out of antibiotics, IV fluids, and blood supplies; ambulances were stranded.
• In Zabul, 3 children died from blood shortages—hospitals couldn’t contact blood banks.
• In Badghis, 5 malnourished children died due to no doctors on-site—staff couldn’t call for backup.
• Emergency hotlines were completely down, leaving patients in limbo. One man with severe chest pain waited hours due to manual paperwork delays.

Broader Impact:

• 75% of Afghans rely on telecom services—markets, banks, and small businesses collapsed.
• Taliban justified the shutdown as a crackdown on “immorality” but ignored humanitarian costs.
• Fiona Fraser (UN Human Rights): “Afghans, already shattered by war, were plunged into darkness—no one knew how long it would last.”
• Actual death toll may be higher—data from the blackout period is still incomplete.