KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union has announced a €31 million investment to expand access to essential health services in Afghanistan amid a worsening healthcare crisis.
In a statement on October 24, the EU said that €16 million will be allocated to the World Health Organization (WHO) and €15 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The funding will support initiatives addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and enhance reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health throughout the country.
The WHO has repeatedly warned of a crippling health system crisis in Afghanistan, jeopardizing the ability of millions to receive necessary medical assistance and increasing the risk of infectious diseases and outbreaks. Under the Taliban regime, women and girls face heightened vulnerabilities, as restrictions limit their access to healthcare and impose travel limitations.
“The EU’s financial support, combined with the technical expertise of WHO and UNFPA, ensures that healthcare reaches those most in need,” said Veronika Boskovic Pohar, the EU Chargée d’Affaires to Afghanistan. “We aim to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Afghanistan’s vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.”
UNFPA’s Country Representative, Mr. Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, highlighted the partnership’s goals, stating, “We aim to reach over half a million people, mostly women and girls, by strengthening the national health system through community-led health services.”
This funding arrives at a critical juncture for Afghanistan’s healthcare delivery. According to WHO, only 10% of women currently have access to basic health services. Alarmingly high maternal, child, and neonatal mortality rates persist, with a mother dying from preventable complications every two hours.
The burden of NCDs, which account for nearly 50% of all deaths in Afghanistan—half of whom are women—exacerbates these challenges. Limited financial resources and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals place immense strain on the already fragile health system.
“With the new EU contribution, we will enhance access to high-quality care for NCDs across seven provinces, ensuring that both men and women, especially in remote areas, receive essential care for better health outcomes,” said WHO Representative in Afghanistan, Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador.
The EU highlighted that this partnership will also improve screening, diagnostic, treatment, and palliative care services for NCD patients at national and provincial levels. This initiative aims to address the shortage of healthcare workers trained in NCD and cancer care, equipping them with the necessary skills to serve all communities effectively.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has requested $367 million in funding to provide healthcare services to 12.8 million people in Afghanistan in 2024. However, this initiative remains underfunded due to international donor fatigue.