KABUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Japan has pledged to provide Afghanistan 12.4 million U.S. dollars to help the country's efforts to eradicate polio and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, the Afghan Public Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
"The funds will support efforts by UNICEF and partners to provide critical vaccines for polio eradication and the routine expanded programme on immunization," the ministry said in a statement.
The announcement came as the number of polio cases recorded in Afghanistan has risen to 10 so far this year after a new case was confirmed in eastern Afghan region last month.
"These vaccines will be available for free at all health facilities and through polio campaigns across the country," it added.
