To combat epidemic-prone infectious diseases and strengthen health service delivery in Afghanistan, the European Union (EU) provides €10 million (equivalent to 750 million Afghani) to the World Health Organization (WHO). The funding will improve preparedness and response systems for future disease outbreaks as well as health and nutrition emergencies.

The long-lasting cooperation between the EU and the WHO contributes to stronger and more resilient healthcare in Afghanistan. The funding seeks to improve healthcare in all 34 provinces benefiting more than two million people. The program builds on the earlier EU-WHO partnership in response to the Covid-19 pandemic by integrating and expanding diagnostic and infectious disease management and response in Afghanistan.

On the occasion of launching the program, Ms Raffaella Iodice, EU Chargée d’Affaires a.i. to Afghanistan, said: "The EU is deeply committed to protecting Afghans from diseases and other health and nutrition emergencies. Building on our ongoing cooperation with the WHO in Afghanistan, the new funding helps to strengthen public health across the country and ensure the well-being of Afghans."

Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan, expressed gratitude for the EU's support, saying, "This funding will greatly contribute to reducing the burden of infectious diseases to the people of Afghanistan. We will focus on strengthening surveillance, enhancing rapid response capabilities, and improving the management of infectious diseases in targeted hospitals."

Background:

The EU and WHO are committed to promoting health and building resilience in Afghanistan through investments in health security system. This continuous collaboration aims to reduce morbidity and mortality and improves preparedness, surveillance and response to outbreaks and health emergencies. With the new EU funding, the WHO will expand the country diagnostic capacity and will provide operational support and supplies to public health labs across the country. It will provide training to enhance skills of medical staff, strengthen and expand surveillance systems, improve infectious disease case management and enhance infection prevention and control. The funding will also help upgrade treatment services for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children with medical complications.