KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Italian government has committed €4.5 million ($4.7 million) to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund to support UN agencies in responding to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed the contribution through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the funds would enable UN agencies to deliver lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
This contribution follows Italy’s earlier commitment of €3.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) programs, which assist Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, as well as internally displaced individuals.
The Italian funding comes at a critical juncture as Afghanistan grapples with a worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a reduction in international aid. Since the Taliban’s takeover, conditions have significantly worsened, making Afghanistan one of the world’s most pressing crises.
According to the UN, nearly 24 million people, more than half of Afghanistan’s population, required humanitarian assistance in 2024, including 12.4 million children. The UN estimates that in 2025, approximately 23 million people will need lifesaving aid.
Malnutrition rates are rising at an alarming rate, with WFP forecasting that 3.5 million children under five and 1.15 million pregnant and breastfeeding women will experience acute malnutrition in 2025, a 28% increase compared to 2024.
However, the humanitarian response has been severely hampered by a significant funding shortfall. As of November, only 37.5% of the UN’s $3.06 billion humanitarian appeal for 2024 had been funded, leaving a large gap. Humanitarian agencies have warned that without sufficient resources, they will be unable to meet the escalating needs of Afghanistan’s population.
