Kabul [Afghanistan], July 11 (ANI): Japan has supplied USD 5 million by UNICEF to bolster polio eradication efforts and strengthen immunisation applications throughout all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, in line with Khaama Press.
The Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has partnered with UNICEF in a 12-month initiative geared toward reaching over 13 million kids with lifesaving polio vaccines and routine immunisations, Khaama Press reported.
UNICEF said on Thursday, July 10, 2025, that the brand new grant reaffirms Japan’s longstanding dedication to Afghanistan’s well being sector. It will assist maintain progress towards the worldwide purpose of eradicating polio, particularly in underserved, conflict-affected, and hard-to-reach areas, Khaama Press famous.
Afghanistan is one in every of solely two nations on the planet the place wild poliovirus transmission has not but been halted. While under-five and maternal mortality charges have declined lately, entry to primary well being companies stays restricted, leaving hundreds of thousands of youngsters weak to lethal and preventable illnesses, Khaama Press highlighted.
A resurgence of polio in 2023 underscored the presence of main immunity gaps, significantly amongst kids in beforehand unreachable areas and cellular or cross-border populations. Despite enhancements in chilly chain infrastructure and expanded vaccine protection, pressing efforts are wanted to bridge these gaps.
‘This partnership with UNICEF demonstrates the Government and folks of Japan’s dedication to enhancing the well being of Afghan kids,’ stated Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan.
‘We hope this initiative will improve the lives of households throughout the nation,’ he added, in line with Khaama Press.
Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, welcomed the contribution, stating, ‘We are near eradicating polio in Afghanistan. This contribution will assist us attain essentially the most weak kids with important vaccines.’
Japan has remained a core associate in Afghanistan’s immunisation campaigns for over twenty years, supporting the procurement of vaccines–including polio, BCG, hepatitis B, and measles–while additionally offering technical help and increasing chilly chain programs important for sustaining vaccine high quality, Khaama Press reported.
The newest 2025 grant will assist UNICEF deal with crucial gaps in vaccine provide, workforce, and outreach, significantly in distant areas. It can even allow swift outbreak response and guarantee constant, high-quality immunisation protection all year long, in line with Khaama Press.
UNICEF expressed gratitude to the Government and folks of Japan for his or her continued assist and reiterated that this collaboration marks a big step ahead in shifting Afghanistan nearer to a polio-free future, Khaama Press added. (ANI)