[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The harsh living conditions of Afghan refugee women at the largest U.S. military base in Europe, the German Air Force base, have been reported. Some of these women are pregnant, but concerns are growing that the lack of medical facilities could pose a threat to their lives.
On the 24th (local time), CNN reported, "Currently, about 10,000 Afghan refugees are housed at the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany," and quoted a base official saying, "approximately 2,000 of them are pregnant women, and 22 babies have been born."
Previously, the U.S. military evacuated about 124,000 Afghan nationals through Kabul International Airport by the 31st of last month. However, during this process, some refugees contracted measles, leading the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to suspend their entry into the United States for 21 days.
A CDC official stationed at the German base recommended, "Afghan refugees should be vaccinated before being relocated to the U.S.," but the CDC headquarters rejected this proposal. As a result, the refugees will remain at the German base until October 9.
With the extension of the Afghan refugees' temporary stay and the increase in population due to newborns, shortages of medical facilities and various supplies have become serious issues.
CNN cited sources pointing out that "although Ramstein Air Force Base is one of the largest U.S. bases in Europe, it was not designed to accommodate such a large number of people at once."
Currently, only two-thirds of the temporary tents at the base are equipped with heating facilities, which is also considered a problem. Especially, there are concerns that the situation could become more dangerous if pregnant women and newborns are left exposed to the cold without protection.
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