NEW YORK (September 29, 2021) – The first aircraft carrying UNICEF lifesaving medical supplies arrived today in Kabul through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) Airbridge.

32 metric tons containing essential drugs, oral rehydration salts and antibiotics, medical and surgical supplies were flown in today covering the needs of 100,000 children and women for the next three months.

The supplies touch down as health facilities across Afghanistan face serious shortages of supplies and medications.

“These medical supplies come at a critical time for children and mothers in Afghanistan as they face an escalating health and nutrition crisis,” said Herve Ludovic De Lys, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “We thank the EU for their support to ensure children and mothers can receive the basic health services they require.”

This is the first of two consignments planned to be flown into Kabul via the ECHO Airbridge in the coming days.

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to pursue a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

 

For more information please contact:
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org
Lauren Davitt, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2503, ldavitt@unicefusa.org