KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Norway has donated 42 million Norwegian kroner (around $4.25 million) to the UN’s Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), the fund announced Friday.
In a post on X, the fund expressed gratitude to Norway for its continued support, calling the contribution vital for expanding critical services and long-term aid delivery.
“Thank you, Norway, for stepping up once again for Afghanistan,” the fund said. “Together, we deliver impact.”
This is Norway’s second contribution to the STFA in less than a year. In December 2024, it donated $4.48 million to support displaced people and returning refugees.
The UN established the trust fund in 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power. It supports humanitarian and development efforts, with a focus on vulnerable populations, human rights, and women’s empowerment.
Norway’s contribution comes as Afghanistan faces a severe humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule, with nearly 23 million people in need of aid, according to the UN.
Despite the growing needs, the humanitarian response remains critically underfunded. The UN’s $2.4 billion appeal for Afghanistan for 2025 has received only 18% of the required funding so far. Aid agencies warn that without additional resources, they will be unable to reach millions of vulnerable people across the country.
The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also urged the international community to boost support, particularly for the growing number of returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
