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Afghanistan

Around 1.6 million children of under 5 yrs age and 625000 child bearing age women are at risk of dying this winter due to malnutrition exacerbated by drought and high prices of food

Mr. Khalili once again handed over an official appeal to the donor and UN representatives to support Afghan government in accessing 129 districts prone to disaster in 22 provinces in the coming winter and to address food shortages and health problems threatening 6.5 million populations who are currently living below the poverty line in Afghanistan. Out of this 6.5 million general population, 1.6 million are children under 5 yrs age and 625000 are women of childbearing age, the most vulnerable age groups. Provision and maintaining of health care services for these vulnerable groups need around $2.5 million, according to the rough calculation of MoPH.

The plight has been exacerbated by the drought, high prices of food and loss of livestock due to continuing drought in 2008. We fear that a humanitarian crisis will be imminent and villagers in those districts might lose a big number of their livestock in the coming winter as well.

"Poverty is one of the most important social determinants of health and nutrition and a major cause of under nutrition and ill health in Afghanistan, especially in those 129 districts. It also contributes to the spread of diseases and undermining efficiency of health care services in Afghanistan and will help unleashed population growth. We once again convey agonies and cries of poor and miserable people of Afghanistan and reiterate that the destiny of world has kinked to the destiny of Afghanistan" said Dr. Fatimie at the meeting. He also added that: "If international community does not respond properly and timely to the appeal, the progress gained so far in different sectors e.g. mortality reduction among children and women will lose its momentum or even reverse."

Food security is very important factor for the reduction of morbidity and mortality of many diseases. For example, case fatality due to tuberculosis has dropped from 23000 in 2002 to 7800 in 2007. This was possible because of success TB control programme and reasonable food security in Afghanistan, especially at rural settings. We forecast a very high morbidity and mortality due to the diseases which are already under control if the current threat is not properly addressed now, before arrival of the harsh period of winter in January and February 2009.

Ministry of Public Health is impartially and without any form of discrimination delivering health services to the needy people in all corners of Afghanistan and request all parties to respect this policy and support health care providers to fulfill this noble job.

MoPH Afghanistan is indebted to many individuals and health stakeholders, especially Afghan families and elders, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, USAID, Rotary International, European Union, CIDA, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI Alliance) and JICA.