Research Groups

Mission Afghanistan 2030

Mission Afghanistan 2030 (MA2030) is a new working group within the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School that aims to bring together the JHU community to share and collaborate on research, evaluation, advocacy, and impact opportunities that can support health in Afghanistan (both humanitarian and developmental). MA2030 will also aim to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders including researchers, NGOs, donors, and the Afghan diaspora. Importantly, MA2030 is aiming to synergize efforts around funding opportunities and collaboration to implement and protect health services, including research and evaluation efforts in Afghanistan. Key priorities and projects that MA2030 will work towards include:

  • Building a network of Afghanistan public health researchers and professionals globally
  • Developing an Afghanistan health task force (small group of global and country experts)
  • Developing a framework and agenda for health and development for Afghanistan inspired by Exemplar success stories (e.g. One Health, One Plan) and evidence on "what works" in Afghanistan
  • Designing an adequate social protection program for Afghanistan, based on successful models from around the world and pilot models from within Afghanistan
  • Evaluating the existing Basic Package of Healthcare Services in light of current health needs and priorities
  • Advocating and other efforts to respond to humanitarian food, health, and poverty needs
Internally displaced families from Helmand province settled for the winter in refugee camps in Kabul, Afghanistan

Internally displaced families from Helmand province settled for the winter in refugee camps in Kabul, Afghanistan

Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, having experienced chronic conflict for over five decades. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, long-term donors have immediately suspended healthcare funds to Afghanistan, leaving approximately 40 million civilians without access to basic health services. Health facilities are shutting down due to both lack of funds and a lack of health care workers. Skilled health professionals have evacuated the country due to safety concerns, and with the new leadership, female health workers have limited mobility. Afghanistan’s health care system is on the verge of collapse and long-term donors and the international community are not united. Afghanistan requires immediate humanitarian assistance including food, shelter, and health care services. The international community should make efforts to cooperate with the new government in order to protect the health and survival of Afghans, in particular the most vulnerable.

Further Information
Please contact Dr. Nadia Akseer (nakseer1@jhu.edu) for more information and to get involved!

Dr. Akseer recently participated in the Public Health On Call podcast to discuss the current health crises in Afghanistan and the Mission Afghanistan 2030 working group. Listen to it here.