KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Italy has contributed €1 million to a United Nations initiative aimed at providing sustainable income opportunities for vulnerable women and youth in Afghanistan, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, the UNODC office in Afghanistan said the funding will support approximately 6,800 women and young people in the provinces of Herat and Nangarhar by expanding access to licit livelihoods and reducing dependence on narcotic crop cultivation.
The project, “Improving the well-being of Afghan women and youth by increasing licit income opportunities,” was launched by UNODC in December 2024. It scales up saffron cultivation in Herat and rose cultivation in Nangarhar as high-value alternatives to opium poppy.
According to the statement, since its inception, the initiative has assisted 1,514 vulnerable households—53% headed by women—across 93 villages in five districts of the two provinces, enabling participation in sustainable income and value chains.
Italy’s latest contribution follows an earlier $2.8 million donation this month to the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, aimed at preserving cultural heritage and supporting economic and climate-resilient initiatives.
The funding comes as Afghanistan remains gripped by one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises, with the United Nations estimating that nearly 22 million people—about 45% of the population—will need assistance in 2026.
Humanitarian operations face ongoing funding constraints. The suspension of U.S. aid, formerly the largest source, has intensified pressure on relief efforts. The UN’s $1.6 billion appeal for 2025 remained significantly underfunded, while it seeks $1.7 billion in 2026 to assist 17.5 million prioritized individuals.
