Direct Relief's Activities in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a mountainous and landlocked country, with over 77 percent of its population of 32 million living in the remote rural and mountainous areas. ¹ After years of armed conflict and impoverishment, the average life expectancy at birth of Afghan citizens is only 42 years. Nearly two-thirds of the country lacks sustainable access to safe water supplies and sanitation. Primary public health concerns are malaria, cholera, and Hepatitis A. ²

Direct Relief has provided $13.5 million (wholesale) in medical material assistance to Afghanistan since 2000, focusing on maternal-child health and core medical aid.

Direct Relief has partnered with the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) and the Abbott Fund in Kabul and Herat to create a three-pronged Maternal-Child Health Program that focuses on education and training, nutritional support, and clinical services. AIL trains women as nurse-midwives and helps them to find employment within Afghanistan. Direct Relief also supplied AIL with a maternal-child health module designed to provide supplies for a fully outfitted maternal ward, including three birthing beds, an oxygen concentrator, neo-infant meter, ultrasound, suction machine, and OB-GYN instruments.

Featured Work

Abbott Backs Program to Address Critical Maternal and Child Health Challenges
Pregnancy is a life-threatening condition in Afghanistan. One in nine Afghan women dies during or shortly after pregnancy, giving Afghanistan one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world (UNICEF, 2007).  More »

Direct Relief's Partners in Afghanistan