Afghans Rely on Mosquito Nets as Summer Heat and Insect Surges Raise Malaria Risk Amid Aid Cuts

A worsening summer heatwave across Afghanistan has coincided with a marked increase in mosquitoes, flies and other insects, raising fears of a broader spread of seasonal illnesses such as malaria and dengue. In provinces with hot climates and limited access to electricity, many families say they rely on simple, low-cost mosquito nets to protect themselves, particularly at night when biting insects are most active.

Residents in eastern and southern provinces described mosquito nets as an affordable and practical defense in areas where solar systems or electric cooling are beyond the means of most households. One woman from Asadabad in Kunar province, speaking to Radio Azadi, said local people depend on nets because many have no electricity: "در ولایت کنر بیشتر مردم از پشه‌خانه استفاده می‌کنند، زیرا بسیاری از مردم اینجا برق ندارند و توان خرید سیستم سولری را هم ندارند. در مقایسه با آن، پشه‌خانه بسیار ارزان‌تر است و مردم به وسیله آن خود را از پشه‌ها محافظت می‌کنند، چون این پشه‌ها بیماری ملاریا را انتقال می‌دهند."

Usage patterns vary between cities and countryside. In Kandahar city, where more households have electricity and cooling appliances, mosquito-net use is reportedly lower indoors; but in villages and among those who sleep outdoors, nets remain widespread. A resident of Kandahar told Radio Azadi: "در شهر کندهار به دلیل موجود بودن برق و وسایل سردکننده در خانه‌ها، استفاده از پشه‌خانه کمتر است؛ اما در قریه‌ها و مناطق روستایی که مردم در فضای باز می‌خوابند، استفاده از آن بسیار رایج است. همه مردم در صحرا از همین پشه‌خانه‌ها استفاده می‌کنند. همچنان نوعی دوا نیز روی آن می‌پاشند تا اگر پشه، مگس یا حشره دیگری داخل پشه‌خانه شود، از بین برود و بمیرد."

In Mazar-i-Sharif, in the northern province of Balkh, market demand for both insecticide-treated and untreated nets has climbed as temperatures rise. "در این روزها استفاده از پشه‌خانه بسیار زیاد است. مردم هم از پشه‌خانه‌های ضدحشرات استفاده می‌کنند و هم از پشه‌خانه‌های معمولی. ما خودما پشه‌خانه‌های آماده می‌خریم. بعضی کسانی که توان مالی ندارند، فقط جالی می‌خرند و خودشان آن را می‌دوزند. قیمت پشه‌خانه دونفره بین چهارصد تا پنجصد افغانی و یک‌نفره حدود سیصد افغانی است," a resident of Mazar told Radio Azadi, describing local prices and coping strategies.

Some residents recall that aid organizations previously distributed insecticide-treated nets for free, a program that has largely faded in recent years. "قبلاً موسسه هلت نت پشه خانه رایگان توزیع می‌کرد، مؤسسات دیگر هم کمک می‌کردند. از طریق کلینیک‌های محل توزیع می‌شد، اما حالا دو سال می‌شود که من چنین چیزی ندیده‌ام. زمانی که توزیع آغاز می‌شد، چون کودکان می رفتند، برایشان پشه‌خانه می‌دادند," said a resident of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, noting that distributions appear to have tapered off over the past two years.

Observers link the decline in free distributions to a broader contraction of international aid since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Many humanitarian programs have reduced operations or closed because of funding shortfalls and operational constraints. Nevertheless, UN agencies have continued some targeted work: the United Nations Development Programme said on its X (formerly Twitter) account in April that it had distributed more than 220,000 mosquito nets in Afghanistan, noting that most of these were provided to pregnant women.

Health officials and clinicians emphasize that children and pregnant women are among those most vulnerable to mosquito-borne illnesses. The World Health Organization reported in April that Afghanistan had recorded 2,900 cases of malaria and 238 cases of dengue earlier in the year. Clinicians say the mosquito net remains the most effective, low-cost preventive measure. As Dr. Naser Fagar told Radio Azadi: "برای پیشگیری از برخی بیماری‌ها، این یک روش ساده و ارزان است. به‌ویژه در مناطقی که هوا بسیار آلوده، بسیار گرم و مرطوب است و پشه و مگس فراوان دیده می‌شود، پشه‌خانه نه تنها برای جلوگیری از بیماری ملاریا استفاده می‌شود، بلکه از بیماری دِنگی که امروزه بسیار مشاهده می‌شود نیز محافظت می‌کند و همچنان انسان را از گزیدگی برخی حشرات دیگر نیز محفوظ نگه می‌دارد."

Medical experts also warn against improvised chemical measures. Burning or fumigating unregulated materials and overuse of certain sprays can cause poisoning, respiratory problems and other health issues, they say. Instead, doctors recommend a combination of simple environmental measures—removing standing water near homes, keeping surroundings free of waste, installing screens on doors and windows—and the nightly use of mosquito nets, ideally insecticide-treated models. Mosquito nets are typically lightweight mesh that can be suspended over beds or cradles; some designs include plastic, metal or fiber frames and zippered entrances for convenience.

Radio Azadi sought comment from the Ministry of Public Health under the current authorities about the scale of mosquito-borne disease this season and whether any institutions are still distributing nets, but the ministry spokesman, شرافت زمان, had not responded by the time of publication. The combination of rising temperatures, increased insect activity and reduced humanitarian capacity underscores ongoing public-health vulnerabilities in Afghanistan, particularly for populations with limited access to electricity, healthcare and other protective resources.