Japan allocates $2.5m to support Afghan children: UNICEF

KABUL (Pajhwok): Japan has allocated 2.5 million US dollars to provide healthcare, clean drinking water and protective services for Afghan children, the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says.

The Japanese government provided this assistance to support life-saving aid for Afghan communities affected by emergencies and natural disasters, UNICEF said in a statement on Monday.

The organisation highlighted only 24 percent of Afghan households have access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, meaning millions of Afghans face the risk of outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea, polio and other diseases.

It said: “This funding will help to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases communities face by supporting the rehabilitation and construction of water supply systems and promoting household hygiene.”

UNICEF further noted that Japan’s assistance will enable the organisation to conduct awareness sessions on disease prevention and hygiene promotion in communities impacted by emergencies.

“As the humanitarian crisis continues in Afghanistan, the needs are immense and often interconnected. Our goal is to deliver a comprehensive package of interventions to address both short term and long-term needs of children and their communities,” said Kuromiya Takayoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

Takayoshi stated: “As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan persists, the needs are vast and often interconnected.”

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan had donated $1.5 million to support maternal, child and youth health in Afghanistan.

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