Tag Archives: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation

Italy commits €6 million to improve equitable access to healthcare facilities in Afghanistan

21 December 2022, Kabul, Afghanistan – The Government of Italy, via the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Pakistan and Afghanistan office), has allocated €6 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan to improve people’s access to health services in primary and secondary health care facilities in 5 provinces: Hilmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Zabul and Uruzgan.

Abeda, 35, works as vaccinator at the clinic organized by WHO in Pul-e-Campany refugee camp. Kabul, Afghanistan.

While health care facilities across Afghanistan are closing or facing significant resource shortages, health needs are increasing rapidly.

WHO and its partners continue to deliver health services to ensure that primary and secondary health care services are available to people from under-served communities who are at high risk for infectious diseases like acute watery diarrhoea, measles, respiratory infections and polio.

The complexity and severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has increased the number of people in need of health assistance by 16%, from 24.3 million in 2022 to a projected 28.3 million in 2023. Through the funding received from the Italian Government, WHO will conduct life-saving health interventions at the primary and secondary levels in the southern region of the country to reduce avoidable deaths from disease.

“Italy’s contribution to Afghanistan is crucial for WHO to further strengthen primary and secondary health care services in vulnerable communities,” says Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. “This strategic support will also reinforce the preparedness and response capacities of public hospitals for future outbreaks and health emergencies.”

Her Excellency Ms Natalia Quintavalle, Ambassador of Italy to Afghanistan, added, “We are strongly committed to further enhancing health care service delivery in under-served areas for the people of Afghanistan.” She added that, “Italy is committed to working with WHO to enhance health care services and build a healthier future for all Afghans”.

“WHO and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – AICS – have longstanding experience of promoting joint projects, with Italian excellence, focusing on providing primary health care services to the people of Afghanistan,” added Mrs Emanuela Benini, Director of the AICS office based in Islamabad.

With the funding from Italy, WHO will support 31 health facilities targeting more than 221 889 beneficiaries from the under-served population. These facilities are spread out across 25 districts and 31 main villages. Moreover, WHO will ensure mainstreaming of gender equity and human rights dimensions across all activities. The focus will be on adopting an equitable approach that leaves no one behind to address multiple vulnerabilities based on gender, age, ethnicity and other social stratifications.

OliveCulture Project: Training on “Processing Protocols and Hygiene safety” Chakwal – Punjab

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Correct olive processing techniques and hygiene safety are fundamental to producing quality olive oil that can be healthy, safe and quickly reach the Pakistani market.

On September 26, 2022, CIHEAM, within the framework of the Project “OliveCulture – Holistic and Multiprofessional Mechanism for a Pakistani Olive Oil Value Chain”, funded by the Italian Government, implemented by CIHEAM (Bari, Italy), supervised by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), launched a Training session on the Mills installed at Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in Chakwal, Punjab.

The event was held in the presence of Mr Roberto Neccia, Italian Deputy Head of Mission in Pakistan, Mr Marco Marchetti and Mr Costantino Parma, as International Project Coordinator and International Expert for CIHEAM Bari, and Mr Pietro Del Sette, on behalf of Ms Emanuela Benini, Director of AICS Islamabad, Mr Zafar Iqbal, Director of CEFORT and Mr Zeeshan Hanif, Deputy Commissioner of Chakwal.

The on-site training for the olive mill operators was conducted by Ugo Ametta, an Italian olive oil Maker and Master Miller with a long-standing international experience for 35 operators from Punjab and Balochistan. 40 operators are expected to participate in the course in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September, 29 and 30, 2022.

The Training session focused on the most correct techniques regarding processing, maintenance of machines, hygienic-sanitary management of structures and processes, transformation and storage processes, all in compliance with the compulsory international protocols on risk analysis and control of critical points (HACCP), meant to prevent the dangers of food contamination and other health hazards.

Another on-site Training on the semi-industrial lines for the processing of table olives will start in October and will be conducted by Dr Matteo Milanese, President of Food Technologists of Puglia, Italy, in Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This activity stands under the primary goal of the OliveCulture Project meant to build the entire Olive value chain, through adequate processing, by observing proper rules and procedures, to reach the quality necessary for income-generating and health.

Glaciers & Students Project: preventing hydrogeological hazards in Pakistan’s mountains

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UNDP, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Government of Gilgit Baltistan and EvK2CNR organized Inception Workshop to formally launch the “Glaciers and Students Project”

August 24, 2022 Gilgit: The inception workshop was conducted to formally launch the project “Glaciers & Students. The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), executed by UNDP Pakistan, and Implemented by EvK2CNR.

The overall aim of the project is to prevent risks of hydrogeological hazards in Pakistan’s mountain areas, by establishing an evidence-based assessment and monitoring system for mountain glaciers to determine the behaviours of the glaciers with scientific studies and through the installation of Automatic Weather stations. The project will actively involve local universities and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the study and monitoring activities. A dedicated training and capacity-building programme will be designed for the students to ensure long-term sustainability of the project.

Representatives from all key stakeholders including Govt. of Gilgit Baltistan, Karakorum International University, and Civil Society Organizations were in attendance.  Mr. Khadim Hussain Saleem, Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Professor Dr. Engineer Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of Karakoram International University, Mr. Imran Ashraf, Representative of AICS, Mr. Knut Ostby, Country Representative UNDP Pakistan, Mr. Agostino Da Polenza, President EvK2CNR and Goodwill Ambassador of Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan on the promotion of tourism in GB, Mr. Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Scientific Representative EvK2CNR Pakistan, Mr. Sajjad Haider Secretary Minerals, Industries, Labor and Commerce, Mr. Faisal Ahsan Secretary Forest, Wildlife and Environment participated in the workshop.

The workshop started with the opening remarks of Knut Ostby, Resident Representative, UNDP. He mentioned that “The importance of projects like Glaciers and Students becomes more vital when it comes to mountains and glaciated regions as the ecosystems in such areas are more fragile and need particular attention.” He added that this project will act as a bridge to transfer the technology and make better decisions for resilience.

Imran Ashraf, Senior Advisor Agriculture & Natural Resources on Behalf of Mrs. Emanuela Benini, Director Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), stated that “AICS believes in the nexus between Research and Education to be rooted in Pakistan, through a network of linkages between universities and institutes of Italy and Pakistan”.

Maurizio Gallo, Project Manager, EvK2CNR Italy gave a comprehensive presentation on the project to apprise all the participants on the planned activities. Mr. Ashiq Ahmed Khan, Scientific Representative EvK2CNR explained in detail the Glaciers Ecology, challenges and opportunities in the context of Gilgit-Baltistan. Mr. Shehzad Hassan Shigri, Director, Environmental Protection Agency emphasized the need for the installation of automated weather stations to better predict hazards. He also explained the research gaps in Pakistan and the need for international collaborations.

Prof. Dr. Engineer Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of Karakorum International University (KIU) briefed the audience on the portfolio of KIU, and the support already provided in terms of research to different development projects and glaciers initiatives by KIU. He appreciated the provision for collaboration in the project with the academic institutions from UNDP and EvK2CNR that will lead to the sustainability of the project.

Faisal Ahsan Pirzada, Secretary of Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department, Gilgit Baltistan expressed his views at the event as, “innovative approaches under Glaciers and Students are vital for improved resilience”. He reiterated his support to the project and future initiatives.

Khadim Hussain Saleem, Secretary Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Department Gilgit-Baltistan expressed his views as Chief Guest, “on behalf of Government of Gilgit Baltistan every possible support will be extended in this project”. He also wished success to all partners. He applauded the continued support from the AICS for several projects executed and implemented by UNDP and EvK2CNR with a focus on the conservation of protected areas and for the improvement of the livelihood of associated communities.

The event concluded with the Vote of thanks from Mr. Arif Hussain, Regional Manager Gilgit Baltistan EvK2CNR on behalf of Mr. Agostino De Polenzo, President EvK2CNR Association. He expressed thanks to all the participants including the Government of Gilgit Baltistan representatives, academia, partners, donors and media.