KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — The World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan on Monday announced that the European Union (EU) has donated €16.5 million to aid vulnerable communities during the harsh winter months.
In a statement, the WFP said that the funding will expand its general food aid for struggling families and enhance nutrition programs for young children and mothers.
The organization estimates that 15 million people in Afghanistan will face crisis-level or emergency food insecurity this winter.
“With more than a quarter of the population going hungry, Afghanistan remains a global hunger hotspot,” said François Goemans, the EU’s humanitarian aid coordinator for Afghanistan. “More than three-quarters of the people cannot afford a nutritious diet to meet their needs and avoid malnutrition.”
The EU’s latest contribution will allow the WFP to deliver emergency food assistance to six million people each month during the winter. This includes distributing cash for families to buy food and providing pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as young children, with nutrient-rich meals.
To address the ongoing food insecurity, the WFP has already begun distributing supplies to remote areas that are nearly cut off by snow and ice.
Hsiao-Wei Lee, WFP Country Director in Afghanistan, highlighted the severe financial constraints the organization is facing. She noted that in 2024, limited funding allowed the WFP to assist only one million people each month, leaving 11 million in need without support.
“This funding from the European Union is crucial for reaching some of the most vulnerable families across the country this winter,” Lee said.
The EU’s donation is part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in 2024. Recently, the EU announced an additional €36 million in aid to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support Afghan refugees and displaced persons, as well as host communities in Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
