KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Norway has contributed NOK 50 million ($4.48 million) to the UN-established Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), the fund announced Friday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the STFA thanked Norway for its contribution during a time of “immense need,” stating that it will assist vulnerable Afghan communities, including internally displaced people and returning refugees, in rebuilding their lives and creating sustainable opportunities for a better future.
“Together, we are empowering people and building resilience and hope in Afghanistan,” the fund said.
Founded by the UN following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the STFA supports humanitarian and development efforts in the country. The fund prioritizes providing essential aid to vulnerable populations and promotes human rights and women’s empowerment initiatives.
According to its 2023 annual report, the fund has mobilized $204 million since its inception and provided assistance to over 5 million people across Afghanistan, with 46.8% of them being women.
Since the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan has been grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over half of its population, nearly 24 million people, in need of assistance this year.
Recent natural disasters, including earthquakes, heavy rains, floods, and landslides, along with the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, have deteriorated the situation.
The UN estimates that 22.9 million people, more than half of Afghanistan’s population, will need humanitarian assistance in the coming year. The UN has prioritized 16.8 million people for assistance and requested $2.42 billion to support those prioritized.
The humanitarian response, however, has faced a significant funding gap in recent years. The UN’s $3.07 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan remains critically underfunded, with only 37.5% of the required funds secured as of November. Humanitarian agencies have warned that without adequate resources, they will be unable to address the growing needs of Afghan communities.
