KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union (EU) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have finalized a €36 million agreement to deliver critical support to displaced Afghans and host communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
In a statement on Friday, the EU delegation in Kabul announced the initiative, saying that its aim is to provide crucial protection, livelihood opportunities, and other essential services to hundreds of thousands of people.
The EU statement mentioned that the funding is part of a broader €110 million UNHCR program aimed at addressing the needs of one of the world’s largest refugee populations.
“Afghans represent one of the world’s largest refugee populations, with 2.6 million registered globally. Of these, approximately 2.2 million are in Iran and Pakistan,” stated the EU office in Kabul. The office also highlighted that an additional 3.2 million individuals remain internally displaced within Afghanistan, while thousands have returned from neighboring countries in recent years.
The statement highlighted that special focus will be placed on vulnerable groups, including women, children, and people with disabilities, through community-driven initiatives designed to ensure their protection and inclusion.
“This longstanding partnership with the European Union marks a significant step forward in our efforts to support Afghan returnees and refugees in host countries,” said UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, as quoted in the statement.
He further remarked, “Through these initiatives, we aim to provide not only life-saving assistance but also the tools needed for displaced populations to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.”
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the Taliban took control, making it one of the world’s most severe crises. The UN reports that nearly 23 million people now require humanitarian assistance.
Multiple factors have driven this rising need, including a high influx of returnees from neighboring countries, widespread internal displacement, devastating natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, and escalating poverty and unemployment.
The UN says more than two million people, mostly women and children, were deported or voluntarily returned from Iran and Pakistan in recent years. In addition, millions have been internally displaced over the past decades due to conflict, natural disasters, and other factors.
