UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND

Published purpose

This project supports Afghanistan's Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to ensure more children are protected from polio by increasing national polio vaccination coverage. Afghanistan is one of the three countries in the world where polio remains widespread. Experts believe that the country is at a critical point in its efforts to eradicate polio. Canada – in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Afghanistan, and other donors – is contributing to providing polio vaccinations to more than nine million children across Afghanistan. Project activities include: (1) carrying out household visits to vaccinate all children in target populations; (2) conducting and strengthening polio immunization campaigns to build immunity; (3) training and building the capacity of front-line workers; (4) conducting regular house-to-house visits and engaging with community influencers to increase knowledge and practice in children's healthcare and polio vaccination; and (5) implementing and strengthening surveillance to rapidly detect the circulation of poliovirus.