Kabul, 16 August 2022 (TDI): The United Nations Population Fund Afghanistan (UNFPA) has provided humanitarian assistance to 4.3 Million people in the last year. This assistance was also provided to people living in the remote and isolated areas of Afghanistan.

UNFPA has provided these people with life-saving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, as well as adolescent health services.

Moreover, it has reached 944,983 Afghans with information & services, including psychological support services and life skills training.

It has provided these services through 41 Women-Friendly Health Spaces, 43 Psychosocial Counseling Centers, and 16 Mobile Outreach Teams.

Furthermore, UNFPA is conducting activities to empower Afghan women, girls, and youth during this difficult period. In addition, the efforts are aimed at safeguarding women’s rights and enhancing their development and useful skills.

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director

Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem stated the escalating crisis in Afghanistan. She stated that:

“Despite the challenges, including shortfalls in funding, UNFPA has increased its presence across the country and is working with our national partners to scale up the provision of sexual and reproductive health services for women, by women, including in remote areas.”

“In the past 12 months, we reached more than 4.3 million people with lifesaving reproductive health services and psychosocial support through our family health houses, mobile and static clinics, and mobile health teams.

“We have distributed essential medicines and supplies to hospitals to ensure safe births, and menstrual hygiene supplies to hundreds of thousands of women and girls.

As winter approaches – and as needs continue to rise – we are already providing cooking utensils and blankets to those in need. We stand ready to do more.”

UNFPA in Afghanistan

In 1976, UNFPA launched operations in Afghanistan. As Afghanistan faced years of violence, UNFPA expanded its activities to help Afghans both inside and beyond the country. This includes giving reproductive health care to large refugee communities in Iran and Pakistan.