New humanitarian partnership to provide children and women with urgently needed health, nutrition & child protection services
Jakarta/Kabul, October 12, 2021 - Tahir Foundation announced today a IDR 10 billion (approx. USD 700,000) grant supporting UNICEF’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Tahir Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF will bring life-saving health and nutrition services to children and women in unreached and remote communities through mobile health and nutrition teams. Additionally, unaccompanied and separated children will have a safe space to play and receive psychosocial support in temporary safe shelters through this partnership. The partnership was announced today at Tahir Foundation’s offices in Jakarta.
Dato' Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, MBA, as the founder and Chairman of Tahir Foundation, handed over the donation to Debora Comini as UNICEF Indonesia representative. Tahir Foundation wants to be a part of humanitarian aid by helping children and women in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s long-running humanitarian crisis has been sharply exacerbated by recent instability. Amidst conflict, severe drought, the devastating socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid approach of the winter seasons, more than 10 million children across Afghanistan are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
With drought impacting more than 80% of Afghanistan, at least one million children under the age of five are at risk of suffering sever acute malnutrition this year if not provided with treatment.
“Across Afghanistan, children are perhaps facing their most perilous winter in the coming months. Low immunization rates and worryingly high levels of malnutrition is putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of children at risk,” said Mr. Hervé Ludovic de Lys, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “UNICEF’s substantial partnership with the Tahir Foundation comes at a critical time for the most vulnerable children and mothers in Afghanistan.”
Furthermore, with many families fleeing their homes in recent weeks due to instability and fear, an increased number of unaccompanied and separated children have been reported, particularly in Kabul and neighboring districts.
UNICEF Indonesia Representative Debora Comini welcomed the partnership between UNICEF and the Tahir Foundation. ""Children in Afghanistan need our support now more than ever. Pak Tahir has shown that generosity and humanity transcend distance," Debora said.
This announcement marks Tahir Foundation’s first partnership with UNICEF.
Media contacts
Kinanti Pinta Karana
UNICEF Indonesia
Tel: +62 8158805842
Email: kpkarana@unicef.org