KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union (EU) has pledged €15 million ($15.8 million) to support the World Food Programme (WFP) climate-related initiatives in Afghanistan, as announced by the EU office in Kabul.
In a statement on Thursday, December 5, the EU stated that the contribution will help local communities prepare for natural hazards and support farmers for more productive and sustainable agriculture.
“The European Union is committed to assisting the people of Afghanistan in adapting to climate change, which is severely threatening food security and livelihoods notably of rural communities,” said the EU Chargée d’Affaires in Afghanistan, Veronika Boskovic Pohar.
“This latest contribution increases the European Union’s steady support to WFP’s resilience programme in Afghanistan to a total EUR 85.1 million since 2022”, she added.
The EU statement highlights that WFP works with communities to build small-scale infrastructure, such as irrigation canals, dams, and flood protection walls, helping them adapt to and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.
The UN food agency also trains and supports farmers to boost crop yields, while equipping men and women with marketable skills, such as mobile phone repair, to generate income.
“These projects are crucial to prepare communities to stand on their own two feet, feed their families, and reduce their dependency on humanitarian food assistance”, said Harald Mannhardt, WFP Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan. He added that the latest EU funding comes at a critical time, as the agency was previously forced to halt projects due to a funding shortfall.
The statement highlighted that the WFP project has achieved significant outcomes, directly benefiting 215,000 men and 208,000 women this year alone. Additionally, over 13,500 women and 3,000 men acquired new skills, while 5,000 farmers received support to enhance agricultural production and access market opportunities.
The humanitarian situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan continues to worsen, with nearly 24 million people—over half of the population, mostly women and children—relying on humanitarian assistance.
Earlier, the WFP reported that nearly 15 million people, representing one-third of Afghanistan’s population, will need food assistance to survive the upcoming winter. The UN agency has appealed for $787 million to address the crisis and avert starvation during this period.
The country remains highly susceptible to frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides, due to its mountainous terrain and ongoing environmental degradation.
Recent natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides, have not only taken a human toll but also resulted in significant financial losses for the people of Afghanistan. According to the EU statement, over 160,000 people were affected by flooding this year, which destroyed nearly 20,000 homes and thousands of hectares of agricultural land.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan three years ago, which brought about a humanitarian crisis and widespread poverty, the EU has been one of the major providers of support to the people of Afghanistan. Earlier, the EU reported that it has contributed €903 million for basic needs and €743 million in humanitarian assistance through a nexus approach since the Taliban’s takeover of the country.
