JEDDAH, 27 December 2024 - The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), acting as trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), has signed two agreements with UNICEF for two projects aimed at increasing access to safe and sustainable water and providing the infrastructure for the delivery of essential health service to remote rural communities in Afghanistan.

The first agreement for the project titled "Climate Resilient and Sustainable Water Supply Services for Remote Rural Communities in Afghanistan," is backed by a grant of USD 2,000,000, jointly funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and Kuwait Society for Relief (USD 1,000,000 each). UNICEF contributes USD 2,000,000 to this 12-month project, which aims to ensure that 64,000 people across 32 remote villages have access to sustainable water supply services. Afghanistan is in the top ten most climate-vulnerable countries on the planet. More than two decades’ worth of record droughts have depleted vital water sources and forced families from their homes by the tens of thousands.

The second project, which is funded for USD 1,000,000 by Saudi Fund for Development and USD 1,000,000 by Kuwait Society for Relief is co-financed with USD 2,000,000 by UNICEF. It focuses on "Provision of Essential Health Services to Vulnerable Women and Children in Remote Communities in Afghanistan." This initiative, with a grant of the same amount and similar funding sources, extends over 24 months. Through this project, UNICEF will support the construction of 8 health facilities in remote areas, as well as the operation and maintenance of these newly constructed health facilities, targeting around 141,000 beneficiaries, including 81,600 women and girls and 28,200 children under the age of five.

 “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to a common goal- that of alleviating the suffering of our brothers and sisters from Afghanistan. Our joint efforts, together with the OIC, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Society for Relief and UNICEF, will have a huge impact in the lives of the beneficiaries of these projects, as it will allow them to have access to safe water and to better health facilities,” commented Eng. Mohammad Jamal Alsaati, AHTF Coordinator and Special Adviser to the President of the Islamic Development Bank.

UNICEF Representative to the Gulf Area, Mr. Eltayeb Adam, highlighted the transformative impact of these contributions. "Access to clean water and healthcare are fundamental human rights. These projects not only contribute towards the fulfillment of these rights but also strengthen access to safe water and health to hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable Afghans."

These agreements, set to benefit over 200,000 individuals in total, mark a significant milestone in the partnership between IsDB, as a trustee of AHTF and UNICEF, showcasing a strong commitment to humanitarian assistance and sustainable development in Afghanistan.

For further information please contact:

Sarah Al-Zawqari

Communication Manager

UNICEF Gulf Area Office

Email: salzawqari@unicef.org

Tel: +971506546563

Daniel Timme

Chief, Communication & Advocacy

UNICEF Afghanistan

Tel: +93 799 987 110

Email: dtimme@unicef.org

Assane BA

Senior Communication Specialist

IsDB

Tel: + 966 533 497486

Email: aba@isdb.org