Kabul, Afghanistan, 14 November 2017 – The Italian Government today contributed 4.3 million Euros (€) to eradicate polio in Afghanistan and improve the nutritional status of children under the age of 5. Of this amount, €2.5 million will go to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), which are both working in the framework of the National Emergency Action Plan for Polio (NEAP) aimed at interrupting the disease transmission in Afghanistan. The remaining €1.8 million have been granted to UNICEF to improve the coverage and quality of nutrition services for children under 5, adolescent girls and mothers in the most deprived provinces. 

Underlining Italy’s commitment to improve the health of Afghan children, the Italian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Roberto Cantone, said that this contribution was offering them the opportunity to be healthy and develop and progress in life for the benefit of the whole country.

The Italian funding addresses two of the country’s main health priorities: polio and nutrition. Polio is a highly infectious but entirely preventable disease which remains endemic in only 3 countries in the world – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. There has been immense progress in eradicating polio in Afghanistan and the country is closer to stopping transmission than ever before.  

“Afghanistan has come a very long way in working towards being a polio-free country,” said Dr Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. “This generous financial support will play a critical role in taking another step forward in eradicating polio from the country.” 

Around 10 million children under 5 receive vaccinations multiple times every year, in all areas of the country. The Italian funding covers training and supporting vaccinators and social mobilizers, who are instrumental in generating demand for vaccination, and in the delivery of vaccines. The funding will also be used for monitoring the coverage and the quality of vaccination activities.

In Afghanistan 41% of children are stunted and a further 1.2 million malnourished. Stunting and malnutrition have immediate and long-term impact on a child’s physical and mental well-being. If the brain is underdeveloped by the age of 2, it is irreversible and cannot be repaired. Malnourished children are also much more susceptible to diseases, such as polio and other infectious sickness. 

“Improving the nutritional status of children in Afghanistan is a priority,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “When children don’t get the nutrients they need at a young age they are not able to reach their full potential and Afghanistan misses out on one of its most valuable resources – its children.” 

The new funding will play a critical role in preventing further cases of malnutrition and actively identifying cases for treatment. This includes strengthening community-based nutrition programming, with a focus on maternal nutrition, and infant and young child feeding practices, as part of an integrated management of acute malnutrition.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org. 

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For more information, please contact: 

Denise Shepherd-Johnson
UNICEF Afghanistan
Mobile: +93 (0) 730 71 7110  

Feridoon Aryan
UNICEF Afghanistan
Mobile: +93 (0) 730 717 115, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

About WHO

WHO is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. 

In Afghanistan, WHO aims to prevent and reduce mortality, morbidity and disability and to improve healthcare. WHO supports the Government and health authorities in strengthening health services, addressing public health issues and supporting and promoting research for health. 

For more information on WHO Afghanistan

Follow WHO Afghanistan on Twitter and Facebook.  

For more information, contact:

Hemant Shukla
WHO Afghanistan
Mobile + 93 (0) 78 743 8916

Tuuli Hongisto
WHO Afghanistan
Mobile +93 (0) 78 220 0354

About the Italian Development and Cooperation Agency

The Italian Development and Cooperation Agency aims to reduce poverty and inequalities, to improve the living condition of the people promoting a sustainable development and protect and affirm human rights, gender equality, equal opportunities and principles of democracy. 

Italy’s commitment in Afghanistan since 2001 has seen the approbation of initiatives of more than 800 million Euros. 

For more information on IADC Afghanistan

For more information contact:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: +93 (0) 797 47 47 45