KSrelief and UNICEF partnership powers hospitals to improve immunization for children in Afghanistan

Provision of 13 additional generators set to strengthen health care system for safe storage of vaccines.

KABUL, 16 January 2024 – UNICEF and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is investing in Afghanistan’s power supply in hospitals to improve the availability of safe and effective vaccination countrywide. This partnership has facilitated the procurement and installation of 13 generators to hospitals in 12 provinces. This vital backup power source ensures uninterrupted electricity to maintain the cold chain system, which is necessary for the safe storage of polio and measles vaccines.

Afghanistan is one of the last countries where the polio virus remains endemic. Vaccination campaigns and routine immunization services are key to boosting immunity and preventing disease. However, inadequate electricity can hamper hospital operations and compromise the cold chain, which is critical for the provision of safe and effective vaccines.

“Robust immunization services and vaccine campaigns can only be possible with an effective cold chain system, for which electricity is key. With this contribution, we have a chance to protect children from preventable diseases,” said Dr. Abdullah Saleh AlMoallem, Head of KSrelief’s Health and Environmental Aid department.

The generators are fully operational in hospitals in Samangan, Paktya, Badghis, Ghor, Nangarhar, Sar-e Pul, Faryab, Herat, Kunar, Uruzgan, Takhar and Farah provinces. Beyond supporting the cold chain system, the newly installed generators are also powering day-to-day hospital operations including surgeries and provision of specialized care to newborn babies.

“We are proud to partner with KSrelief in supporting these hospitals. With reliable electricity, medical equipment can be powered, hospitals can provide uninterrupted critical care and safely store life-saving vaccines and medicines for children,” said UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan Dr Tajudeen Oyewale.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has previously supported UNICEF’s interventions to improve water, sanitation and hygiene as well as nutrition services for children in Afghanistan.

About Ksrelief

We are King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre #KSrelief. Leading KSA’s humanitarian role in serving people & communities in 105 countries across the world.

Media contacts

Kate Pond

Communication Specialist

UNICEF Afghanistan

Tel: +93799987112

Email: kpond@unicef.org