Japan provides $6.9 million for essential vaccines for children and women in Afghanistan

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KABUL, 14 May 2024 – The Government of Japan has provided an additional $6.9 million in support of UNICEF’s drive to provide life-saving interventions with the collaboration of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), addressing urgent needs and rights of Afghanistan’s children and women. This grant will enable UNICEF to procure vaccines and injectable supplies for routine immunization services and vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan. This support will help to protect 4.1 million children and women from Measles, Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Tetanus through routine immunization services, as well as 4.7 million children from Polio through one national polio vaccination campaign.

The risk of exposure to deadly preventable diseases remains high in Afghanistan, one of the last two countries in the world where polio still lingers. Polio transmission resurged in 2023, pointing to immunity gaps, especially in previously inaccessible locations, and among mobile and cross-border populations. Regular, nationwide vaccination efforts are crucial to prevent further outbreaks. This new funding from the Government of Japan will help to sustain vaccination coverage and improve children and women’s immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Recurrent disease outbreaks are a reminder of the importance of vaccination. We remain committed to support the routine immunisation programme for the women and children of Afghanistan and to extend the reach of vaccination campaigns,” said H.E. Kuromiya Takayoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

The funding will also help to improve cold chain equipment and vaccine safety, increasing the reach of life-saving vaccines through routine immunization and national vaccination campaigns.

“Diseases like polio devastate the lives of children. They are also preventable. Vaccines are a sure and cost-effective way to protect children from these deadly, infectious diseases. We welcome the continued support of the Government of Japan to strengthen Afghanistan’s health system, and to protect more women and children from preventable diseases.” said Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan.

This contribution from the Government of Japan follows recent support in improving the cold chain capacity, vaccine procurement, and malnutrition treatment. The Government of Japan has also supported UNICEF to construct water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities and to establish platforms that protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation, including provision of psychosocial support services.

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