EU provides €35 million to Afghanistan

EU provides €35 million to Afghanistan

To tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic impacts in Afghanistan, the EU Delegation in Afghanistan has provided an additional support of 35 million euros for three projects that is set to be implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and a consortium led by the Agha Khan Foundation.

“The pandemic has exacerbated an already grim situation in Afghanistan, creating even bigger needs in a country for decades plagued by war. Together with partners and in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, the EU’s contribution aims to support those who suffer the most from this crisis. The three projects launched today will contribute to this further,” said EU Ambassador Andreas Von Brandt in Kabul today, Tuesday, January 26.

In a statement issued today, the EU Delegation in Afghanistan said that it has mobilized almost 147 million euros to address the immediate health crisis and provide humanitarian assistance to the people in need.

According to the statement, the 35 million euros will be spent to strengthen the response capacity of health systems, test and treat patients, improve infection prevention, raise awareness, and reduce nutritional risks through the three projects.

“As preparation for vaccine rollout signals new hope in Afghanistan’s fight against COVID-19, continued investment in testing, surveillance, clinical care, protection of health workers and essential health services reins vital for containing the spread of the virus in addition to offering quality medical care,” said David Lai, Officer in Charge at the WHO.

According to the statement, Representative of the UNICEF Afghanistan, Sheema Sen Gupta, has said that the EU’s funding will allow UNICEF to respond the worsened situation of Afghanistan’s weak health system which profoundly affects the health and safety of Afghan children and women.

“With the support of the EU, the Aga Khan Foundation led consortium with Cordaid will reach 8.4 million direct and indirect beneficiaries in 16 provinces,” said Ambassador Sheherazade Hirji, Aga Khan Development Network Diplomatic Representative.

This comes as Afghanistan has not reported any Covid-19 related death over past 24 hours.

Of 1,924 suspect cases of the pandemic disease tested over past 24 hours, 104 people tested positive, raising the total cases of Covid-19 to 54,854, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Health today, January 26.

A total of 2,390 Covid-19 patients have died since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.

The health ministry has also said that 94 patients have recovered over past 24 hours, raising the total number of those recovered from the pandemic to 47,459 people.