WHO says it only has enough medical supplies in Afghanistan to last a week

State of play: More than 500 tonnes (551 tons) of supplies — including surgical equipment and severe malnutrition kits — arriving from Dubai were held up at the Kabul airport, the WHO said during an online briefing Tuesday, per Reuters.

• While officials warned the situation was deteriorating, the agency remained "cautiously optimistic" that deliveries will be back on track and ramping up soon, Richard Brennan, the WHO's regional emergency director, said.
• "We have had some encouraging signs and encouraging communications, that the Taliban authorities have made it clear that they want the United Nations to stay, that they want the continuity of health services," Brennan said, per Reuters.

The big picture: The Taliban's rapid takeover of the country and the chaotic evacuation efforts have compounded an already existing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

• The "harrowing humanitarian situation – aggravated by sustained drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, and significant shortfalls in enabling economic, social and cultural rights – has further deepened with recent events," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet noted in a speech Tuesday.
• The WHO is especially worried the recent chaos in the country will drive up COVID-19 infections, per Reuters.