European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid has furthered its funding to World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan with an additional €2.8 million to the WHO Health Emergencies Programme to support the country’s fight against COVID-19, the European Union said in a press release.

According to the press release, WHO will use the funding during a period of 12 months to reach 400 000 vulnerable population in the country affected by COVID-19, including internally displaced population and returnees from Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan.

“With this support, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme will also be able to scale up the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, in addition to providing essential trauma care and addressing urgent humanitarian needs across the country,” the press release added.