Japan provides fresh funding for life-saving health care, water, sanitation, hygiene and protection services for children

KABUL, 17 March 2025 – The Government of Japan has provided $2.5 million for life-saving assistance to Afghan communities affected by emergencies and natural disasters.

Only 24 per cent of Afghan households have access to basic drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, meaning millions of Afghans face the risk of outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea, polio and other diseases. This funding will help to prevent the risk of waterborne disease communities face by supporting the rehabilitation and construction of water supply systems and promoting household hygiene.

Japan’s new contribution will address the multiple, intersecting challenges families face in the wake of an emergency or natural disaster. Alongside providing safe water to communities and hospitals, it will support the delivery of medicines and supplies for managing acute watery diarrhoea and other diseases from contaminated water. It will also enable UNICEF to run awareness sessions on disease prevention and hygiene promotion in communities affected by emergencies, benefiting approximately 78,000 people, including more than 41,000 children.

“As the humanitarian crisis continues in Afghanistan, the needs are immense and often interconnected. Our goal is to deliver a comprehensive package of interventions to address both short term and long-term needs of children and their communities,” said H.E. Kuromiya Takayoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

The project will also support the scale up of services for children and women at risk of exploitation and abuse. Years of protracted conflict, displacement and economic decline have left children and women more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, mental health challenges and exposure to explosive ordinance. Thanks to Japan’s generous new contribution, UNICEF will strengthen the capacity of the social service workforce to provide child protection services, supporting children at risk of separation from their families, child marriage and other forms of exploitation.

“In the last few years, our partnership with the People and the Government of Japan has enabled us to deliver critical, life-saving support to children, including access to safe water, vaccines, cold chain equipment, medicines and medical supplies. Together we have also constructed and rehabilitated classrooms and established platforms to keep children safe from abuse and exploitation. We are grateful for Japan’s continued support to meet the growing needs of children,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan.

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