Assistant Secretary-General for Support Operations Lisa M Buttenheim is welcomed by children presenting flowers on her arrival at the Women and Children Drug Treatment Centre in Kabul, 7 December 2024. Photo: WHO Afghanistan
22 December 2024, Kabul, Afghanistan – Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan Rosa Otunbayeva, accompanied by the Assistant Secretary-General for Support Operations (ASG) Lisa M Buttenheim and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), visited the Women and Children Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Kabul. This specialized facility, operated with funding from the European Union (EU), provides life-changing treatment for women and children impacted by substance abuse.
“I am deeply inspired by the resilience of the women and children here,” said SRSG Otunbayeva.
“This Centre is a testament to the power of hope and international solidarity. The collaboration between WHO, UNODC, the EU and implementing partners like the International Medical Corps and the Youth Health and Development Organization gives these women and children the opportunity to heal and reclaim their futures.”
he visit highlighted the critical role international support plays in addressing the growing public health crisis of drug use in Afghanistan. The SRSG toured the Centre, engaging with patients, staff and children, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of the treatment and rehabilitation programme being overseen by specialized UN agencies.
In the women’s ward, the SRSG spoke with patients undergoing rehabilitation and commended their courage and determination. Her visit to the sewing and tailoring vocational training hall showcased the Centre’s focus on empowering women with skills to support themselves during the recovery process.
Engaging with patients undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in the women’s ward and hearing firsthand about their challenges and progress, 7 Dec 2024. Photo: WHO Afghanistan
In 2024, the Centre admitted 640 women and children, discharged 602 and followed up with over 900.
The Centre is committed to holistic rehabilitation. The delegation visited a classroom where children – including those passively exposed to substances – receive primary education.
The vocational training hall at the Women and Children Drug Treatment Centre in Kabul, where women learn skills to support their rehabilitation and future livelihoods, 7 Dec 2024. Photo: WHO Afghanistan
The children enthusiastically shared their learning progress. “I never thought I could learn to read,” said a young boy with a bright smile. “Now I want to be an engineer and help build more centres like this to help my other sick friends.”
The Centre’s director expressed gratitude for the ongoing support: “Thanks to the contributions of WHO, UNODC, and generous funding from the EU, our services have significantly improved. However, demand is increasing, and we are receiving more cases from remote areas. We urgently need additional support to extend our reach, expand our Centre or establish more centres to address the growing needs of women with drug use disorders.”
A classroom for children at the Women and Children Drug Treatment Centre, 7 Dec 2024. Photo: WHO Afghanistan
“The delegation’s visit moved the patients and staff, raising morale across the Centre.”
“Your visit shows that we are not forgotten. It gives us strength to keep going and hope for a better tomorrow,” said one recovering woman.
Collaborative efforts pave the way to recovery
The visit highlighted the importance of international partnerships in tackling Afghanistan’s addiction crisis and shared commitment to supporting vulnerable women and children, offering them a path to recovery and a brighter future.
Note to editors:
Decades of conflict and instability have left many Afghans vulnerable to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), contributing to the widespread drug use crisis which affects 1 in 3 households.
In response, WHO and UNODC have launched extensive outreach, recovery support and treatment initiatives for people with drug use disorders to reintegrate them with their families and communities. Over the past 2 years, more than 170 000 people have been reached, with 774 individuals benefiting from training programmes and 87 558 receiving awareness materials.
A cornerstone of this effort is the Kabul 100-bed Women and Children Drug Treatment and Vocational Skills Training Centre. It offers a comprehensive treatment programme that includes 3 outreach mobile medical teams and rehabilitation and vocational training programmes tailored to promote recovery, social reintegration and long-term well-being.
Video message, UNODC Representative Polleak Ok Serei
For more information, please contact:
Ajyal Sultany, Head of Communications,
World Health Organization in Afghanistan - Kabul, +93 780044576
Júlia Alhinho, Public Information Officer/Strategic Communications,
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), +93 730 745 111
