9 May 2023 – Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signs an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the provision of essential health services in underserved areas in the 11 provinces of Afghanistan.

With the funds from QFFD, WHO will procure pre-qualified medicine for primary health care and facilitate delivery and distribution to the health facilities in the provinces of Helmand, Daikundi, Ghor, Farah, Samangan, Zabul, Takhar, Baghlan, Maidan Wardak, Paktika, and Nuristan. The medicines will be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases related to sexual and reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child mortality. In addition, WHO will support the capacity development of health workers on medical supply chain management and rational use of medicine as per national standard treatment guidelines.

Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of QFFD, said, “The State of Qatar stands at the forefront of the global support of the Afghan people. Complementing ongoing efforts, QFFD is working with different partners to improve the livelihood of developing and disaster-stricken and conflicts driven areas worldwide. We look forward to achieving tangible achievements and improving the livelihood of the Afghan people by supporting the health sector”.

“WHO has been supporting the health needs of Afghans, including provision of medicines and medical supplies to the health facilities”, says Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. “The new funding from the Qatar Fund for Development will even boost our capacity to reach more people, especially women, children, the elderly and the most vulnerable in the most underserved areas of the country.”

“Enhancing the provision of essential medicines in the underserved areas in Afghanistan is an opportunity to reduce preventable deaths among women, children, and adolescents and significantly improve their health and well-being. Thanks to Qatar Funds’ contribution, more than one million patients will have better access to quality primary health care,” Dr Alaa AbouZeid, Health Emergencies Team Lead at WHO Afghanistan.

WHO and QFFD aim to reduce morbidity and mortality among the population in Afghanistan living in underserved areas by providing high quality, accessible, acceptable, equitable, and affordable health services through 89 health centers targettingvulnerable populations, especialy women and girls.

For more information, please contact:

Joy Rivaca Caminade at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Head of Communications
WHO Afghanistan

Nourhan El-Nagdy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Donor Communication Officer
WHO Afghanistan

Noora Omar Al-Emadi at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Acting Head of the Media and Communication Section
Qatar Fund for Development