BARCELONA — To help build trust with local communities in Afghanistan, Albert van Hal spends most of his time talking to local leaders — something that has proved fundamental to his work aiming to support stronger health systems in the country.
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“I think that’s crucial in a fragile state. It requires enormous amounts of time and talking to build trust because it’s broken. It’s all gone after so many years of conflict,” said van Hal, advocacy coordinator and program manager for fragile states for Cordaid, an organization for relief and development aid.
Conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan are lagging behind in many ways, but particularly in terms of access to health care, he said. The Dutch organization has been providing health care services and working with local organizations since 2003. In addition, it trains midwives, nurses, and laboratory — and pharmacy technicians to help support the health system.
Continue reading the full feature story on delivering health in conflict: A different approach in Afghanistan.
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About the author
Natalie Donback
Natalie Donback is a freelance journalist and editor based in Barcelona, where she covers climate change, global health, and the impact of technology on communities. Previously, she was an editor and reporter at Devex, covering aid and the humanitarian sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in development studies from Lund University and a master’s in journalism from the University of Barcelona and Columbia Journalism School.