Afghanistan Country Profile

Population:	27,196,000
Children-under-5 mortality rate:	257 per 1000
Vitamin A deficiency, in children 6 to 59 months old:	Data not available
Iodine deficiency in preschool children (% of population with median UIE below 100ƒÊg/l):	72%
Prevalence of anemia, in children 6 to 59 months old:	72%
Prevalence of anemia, in non-pregnant women:	48%

Our Priorities in Afghanistan

MI's recent work in Afghanistan includes:

1. An ongoing vitamin A supplementation program in partnership with UNICEF
   
   
2. Working with salt processors to increase production of adequately iodized salt and provide iodized oil capsules in areas where market channels will not provide iodized salt.
   
   
3. Working with the World Food Programme (WFP) to help large-scale wheat flourmills fortify flour
   
   
4. Establishing a country office to consolidate and enhance our presence and operations

Major Partnerships

In July 2007, MI signed and an agreement with the Government of Afghanistan that will help MI establish a permanent office in Kabul and enhance the programs we support to protect millions of Afghans from vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, folic acid deficiency and iodine deficiency.

The Government of Afghanistan has asked MI to assist with developing a national plan of action to address serious public health problems that hidden hunger causes in Afghanistan.

MI partnered with WFP in Afghanistan and flour millers in Pakistan to support flour fortification for consumption in Afghanistan. This fortified flour is expected to reach up to 2.5 million people in Afghanistan over an 18-month period that began in July 2007.

MI partnered with UNICEF for the distribution of Vitamin A supplements twice a year to help protect the lives of children ages 6 to 29 months as well as to iodize salt to protect children from mental impairements and other consequences of iodine deficiency.

Child Survival
Supporting Immune Systems and Reducing Deaths from Common Childhood Diseases

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS)

MI's ongoing work to provide VAS through UNICEF now reaches approximately 5.3 million children in Afghanistan each year to protect them from vitamin A deficiency and improve their chances of survival.

Child Development
Preventing Mental Impairment with Iodine and Iron

Iodine

At the invitation of the Government of Afghanistan, representatives from MI and UNICEF facilitated a workshop on January 1 and 2, 2008, to help key stakeholders review the first draft of proposed universal salt iodization (USI) legislation in the country. This workshop was a critical step in getting approval for legislation that will put an end to the trade of non-iodized salt.