Afghanistan's Taleban lifts ban on World Health Organisation
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KABUL (REUTERS) - Afghanistan's Taleban insurgency has lifted a ban on World Health Organisation (WHO) activities in areas the militants control, a spokesman for the Islamist group said, reversing a stance that had been complicating efforts to eradicate polio.
The Taleban had in April banned the WHO and International Committee of the Red Cross, citing their "suspicious activities"during vaccination campaigns, which threatened to deepen one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The health arm of the United Nations has been carrying out a vaccination campaign in Afghanistan, one of just three countries where polio is still endemic.
"After realising its shortcomings and following constant contact and meetings with our representatives, the WHO received permission for their activities," said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taleban in a statement.
In the statement, the Taleban gave a guarantee of safety for WHO staff but also set conditions for its return, including only doing health work, getting the insurgency's permission before hiring workers and only carrying out polio vaccine campaigns in health centres.
The WHO did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.
Earlier this month, the Taleban also lifted its ban on the Red Cross, which has been providing medical support for more than 30 years.
Aid groups operating in Afghanistan stress that they do not take sides.
