Japan donates $6.9m for vaccination in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Japanese Embassy in Afghanistan has signed a $6.9 million agreement with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to provide necessary vaccines to Afghan children and women.

UNICEF representative Dr. Tajuddin at the agreement-signing ceremony said Japan had donated $6. 9 million aid for needy Afghan children and women to have access to rights with support of UNICEF and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said UNICEF will buy vaccines and injectable materials for vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan.

The Japanese support included vaccines for 4.1 million children and women against measles, Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis B and tetanus.

“Some diseases like polio are deadly and contagious, but these sicknesses are preventable by safe way of vaccination. We welcome the continued support of Japanese government to strengthen Afghanistan's health system and protect more women and children from preventable diseases,” the representative explained.

Japanese Ambassador Takayoshi Kurumiya said: “We are committed to supporting and expanding the vaccination campaigns for Afghan women and children”.

According to UNICEF, the risk of exposure to preventable deadly diseases is still high in Afghanistan.

hz/ma