KSrelief and UNICEF partnership delivers lasting power to hospitals in Afghanistan for safer, more reliable health care services

RIYADH, KABUL, - 9 July 2025 – Providing crucial support to Afghanistan’s health care system, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and UNICEF have completed a set of key activities to strengthen health services and expand immunization efforts across the country.

With funding from KSrelief, UNICEF installed 13 electric generators in hospitals across 12 provinces — Samangan, Paktya, Badghis, Ghor, Nangarhar, Sar-i-Pul, Faryab, Herat, Kunar, Uruzgan, Takhar, and Farah. These provinces were reached due to the higher risk of measles and polio outbreaks in these areas. Reliable health care services, like routine immunizations, are crucial in preventing and managing these diseases, and these generators directly support that goal.

“In Afghanistan, health facilities are often at risk of poor functionality due to unreliable electricity, which can seriously hamper their ability to provide quality health care to children and families,” says Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “This could mean cold chain equipment does not keep vaccines at the proper temperature, or a doctor cannot use critical equipment to diagnose and treat a patient or a mother in need of health care in the middle of the night. But now, in these 13 facilities, families can access health services around the clock, and health care workers can provide care with confidence.”

These generators provide reliable power to the entire facility, ensuring operations continue even during electricity blackouts. With this consistent power, vaccine refrigerators stay cold to keep vaccines safe and potent, lights remain on, and life-saving medical equipment is always operational. Prof. Ziad Memish, KSrelief, added: "Every hospital that can keep its lights on and equipment running is a beacon of hope. These generators are not just machines—they are enablers of life-saving immunizations, safer births, and urgent medical treatment for those who need it most. This partnership empowers health workers to reach more families and prevent diseases that threaten the lives of children and women alike.”

To ensure sustainability and long-term success of this initiative, UNICEF oversaw installation of the generators and trained 26 local technicians – two per hospital – to maintain and operate the generators at their respective facilities, so these hospitals can continue to provide vital services for years to come.

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About KSrelief:

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional, and international organizations.