Project profile — Polio eradication in Afghanistan

• Afghanistan (100.00%)

• Basic Health: Infectious disease control (12250) (100.00%)

• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) (not targeted)
• Children's issues (principal objective)
• Nutrition (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Gender equality (significant objective)

This project aims to support the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in their efforts to eradicate the wild poliovirus (WPV) in Afghanistan, one of only 2 remaining polio endemic countries (the other is Pakistan). The project seeks to reach 9.9 million children and provide immunity to polio for all Afghans, including interrupting the transmission of all wild poliovirus and stopping all circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks. The WHO is responsible for: (1) providing technical assistance and operational support to implementers; (2) training of frontline workers and surveillance staff; (3) collecting and analysing data; and (4) monitoring. UNICEF is responsible for: (1) supplying and distributing polio vaccines along the whole supply chain; (2) implementing vaccination activities; and (3) engaging with communities to improve vaccine acceptance. The 2 organizations work closely together to implement all aspects of the polio vaccination campaign.

The expected outcomes 0f this project include: (1) improving the quality of access to, and equitable reach of polio immunization activities in Afghanistan; and (2) improving the surveillance system for poliovirus.

Results achieved as of September 2024 include: (1) supplied approximately 14 million doses of the polio vaccine to vaccinate 11.9 million children in June 2024, exceeding the target; (2) effectively implemented strategies of community engagement. This includes the deployment of over 9,000 social mobilizers, which are essential for community engagement and for reaching high-risk areas, thereby increasing the vaccination coverage among children; (3) reached over 25 million people via social media to raise awareness and promote the benefits of the vaccine; (4) integrated the polio vaccination program with other health services, including by distributing 2.2 million bars of soap to promote hygiene and encourage vaccination; and (5) enhanced engagement of women in all aspects of the program, including training and deploying 628 female mobilizers and vaccinators to conduct health education sessions at 392 health facilities in high-risk polio provinces.

• Proactive disclosure