Japan Contributes $21 Million for Life-Saving Vaccines in Afghanistan

The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan on Monday announced that Japan has contributed US$ 21 million for live life-saving vaccines for mothers and children, and water and sanitation in schools.

With this funding, UNICEF will provide clean water for 30,000 people in four provinces, and vaccines for 18.3 million mothers and children across Afghanistan.  

Amid the devastating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the government of Japan has donated to UNICEF US$ 18 million in support of essential vaccines for over 18 million mothers and children, and US$ 3.6 million for water and sanitation facilities in public schools.

The vaccines include measles, rotavirus, tetanus and diphtheria, polio, hepatitis B and others. These funds will also enable UNICEF to reach around 10 million children with oral polio vaccines during national vaccination campaigns in 2023.

“This support from the Japanese government will not only help to give mothers and children the immunity boost they need to stay healthy, but it will also improve sanitation and hygiene in schools,” said Rushnan Murtaza, UNICEF Afghanistan Deputy Representative.

“Complementing our past support to Afghanistan in health, nutrition and education, we hope these contributions will create cleaner, safer learning environments and communities for children and their families,” says Takashi Okada, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

Water and sanitation projects will be implemented in Ghor, Uruzgan, Zabul and Pakitika which are among the most deprived provinces in Afghanistan, according to UNICEF officials.

Since the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, the government of Japan has generously contributed towards improving the living conditions of women and children, who have been the most vulnerable segments of society under the Taliban regime.

As a friendly partner, Japan has always stood with the people of Afghanistan, and supported programs in areas including education, nutrition, health, sanitation and more over the past two decades.

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