Japan Pledges $5 Million to Boost Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan

Japan Pledges $5 Million to Boost Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan
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Japan has pledged $5 million through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support polio eradication and strengthen routine immunization in Afghanistan, UNICEF announced on Thursday. The funding will help UNICEF deliver essential polio vaccines and reinforce immunization systems in all 34 Afghan provinces over the next year. The initiative aims to reach more than 13 million children, focusing on remote and underserved communities where access to healthcare remains limited.

Afghanistan is one of only two countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic. Despite significant progress over the past two decades — including a sharp drop in under-five mortality — recent spikes in polio cases highlight ongoing immunity gaps, particularly among mobile groups and in conflict-hit areas. UNICEF said the new funding will cover vaccine procurement, health worker training, and critical logistics, filling operational gaps for 2025.

Japan’s support builds on decades of assistance that has improved Afghanistan’s vaccine cold chain and coverage rates. Japanese Ambassador Takayoshi Kuromiya expressed hope that the new partnership will further enhance children’s health and wellbeing. UNICEF’s country representative described polio eradication in Afghanistan as within reach if immunization services can consistently reach the hardest-to-reach communities.