WHO representative Dr. Rik Peeperkorn signing the grant arrangement with Mr. Jae Myong Koh, Minister Counselor for the Republic of Korea
Afghanistan also faces challenges in its response to the increasing needs for emergency health services due to rapidly evolving conflict, increasing security threats and ongoing waves of displacement.
This is characterized by significant increases in the number of war trauma cases, compromised access and the likelihood of natural disasters. The country also suffers from a high burden of Communicable Diseases and increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases that affect approximately one in three households in Afghanistan.
Though many of Afghanistan’s health indicators have improved, many remain extremely worrisome.
The new project, supported by ROK under the leadership of the with Ministry of Public Health, supports the National Health Strategy in reducing preventable death, illness, and disability and in providing quality health services provided in an equitable and sustainable manner in areas of Health, Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
The 12-month project will focus on improving access to effective trauma care and primary health care to vulnerable population as well as improving provincial emergency response capacity in Kandahar, Herat, Kunduz, Baglan and Faryab provinces. WHO Afghanistan will target the high incidence of acute malnutrition and support WASH capacity by establishing facilities and waste management systems through integrated health programmes in these high risk provinces. In addition, the project supports hospital services through e.g. training of medical staff and provides training for public health officials.
This is the first WHO activity in Afghanistan directly supported by the Republic of Korea. Previously, ROK has been engaging in helping Afghanistan recover from years of civil war. The Government of ROK, in collaboration with the international community, has participated in these efforts through various in-kind donations, training programs and cooperative projects since 2011.
More information:
Dr. David Lai
Health Cluster coordinator, WHO Afghanistan
+93 (0) 781 764 906
