In Afghanistan, tackling leishmaniasis--and narcotics.

Decades of civil war in Afghanistan have destroyed much of its infrastructure. At the same time, neglected but treatable diseases have taken hold throughout this long history of conflict and defeated the efforts of doctors and clinics to bring them under control.

One of the most serious examples is leishmaniasis. Women and children are particularly affected. The disease is so widespread in some areas that it is known as "little sister" as it is almost a part of the family. However, in Kabul there is an opportunity to bring leishmaniasis under control and end the suffering of some 200,000 people there who are believed to be infected with this parasite. Due to their lower levels of resistance, returning refugees and other displaced persons are at a higher risk of infection. International staff working in Afghanistan also face a substantially higher risk.

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Government of Afghanistan and a number of international non-governmental organizations had launched an urgent appeal for funds to bring this serious outbreak under control. This is one case whereby a remarkably small amount of money could make an enormous difference.

"A little over $1 million is all we need to fund a two-year programme that would have a huge, long-term impact on this disfiguring disease once and for all", said Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO Director-General. "But we need to act now: if this opportunity is missed, there will be a severe increase in the number of cases next year."

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