The European Union (EU) has announced the allocation of €12 million in financial support for the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan.
In a statement on Thursday, the EU in Afghanistan stated that it has allocated the sum to its partners including the Agha Khan Foundation, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Rehabilitation Association and Agriculture Development for Afghanistan (RAADA) in support of the vulnerable people of Afghanistan.
The EU further stated that its funding aims to provide vital support to citizens of Afghanistan who are deeply affected by the most significant humanitarian crisis globally. The aid includes assistance to ensure sustainable food production, promote climate-smart agriculture and resilient infrastructure, facilitate community-based employment opportunities, and foster market-oriented business development.
The EU Chargée d’Affaires for Afghanistan, Raffaella Iodice, was quoted in the statement as saying: “In Afghanistan, millions go hungry while climate change is expected to exacerbate the situation for many Afghans, especially women. The European Union – together with its partners – stands by the Afghan people.”
Afghanistan is currently facing one of the most server humanitarian crises in the world. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 28.8 million people require urgent humanitarian assistance in the country.
The Taliban bans on women’s employment for international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the UN offices have added to the complexity of an already challenging environment.
The UN humanitarian agencies estimate that $2.26 billion is needed between June and December 2023 to provide essential multi-sectoral assistance to 20 million people in Afghanistan.
