Kabul, Afghanistan – The Government of Japan is contributing an additional USD 1.3 million to UNFPA’s response to the escalating crisis in Afghanistan to boost life-saving reproductive health interventions for women, girls and youth.

The new funding will support the continuation of services at 29 Family Health Houses in Helmand, strengthen the referral system for emergency maternal and newborn care, and support young people’s access to reproductive health and psychosocial support services and information.

Japan’s assistance will also support the provision of Mama and Baby Kits and medical equipment and supplies for mothers who have just delivered their babies. The new interventions aim to reach about half a million Afghans over a period of one year.

The new funding brings to USD 2.2 million Japan’s total contribution to the 2022 UNFPA Afghanistan Humanitarian Response, which requires USD 251 million to reach 9.28 million of the most vulnerable population in the country with humanitarian assistance.

Japan’s support has reached more than 20,000 Afghans this year, mostly women and girls, with reproductive and maternal health services, psychosocial support, and distribution of Dignity Kits. 

Japan has also contributed to the procurement of medical equipment and supplies for reproductive health, adequate to cover at least 102,000 people in need of reproductive health services in the country. The funding has supported women-centered services in Herat, Nimroz and Kandahar.