In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the EU has decided to mobilise an additional €40 million in emergency aid for the victims of this crisis in the country and for refugees in Pakistan and Iraq, the European Commission announced on Thursday 21 November.
In Afghanistan, aid is mainly targeted at the most vulnerable families, victims of war, displaced people and returning refugees to the country. It will make it possible to finance emergency health care, shelter, food, access to drinking water and sanitation facilities, protection of individuals, especially women and children, and education for children who have had to leave school.
“Not only has the conflict between the government and non-state armed groups intensified since the beginning of the year, but devastating floods have also hit this war-torn country”, Commissioner Stylianides emphasised in a statement.
In Pakistan and Iran, vital assistance will be provided to the 6 million Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons in Pakistan.
This new funding brings the EU's humanitarian effort in response to the Afghan crisis to €77 million this year: €61 million in Afghanistan, €9 million in Pakistan and €7 million in Iran. Since 1992, the EU has financed humanitarian operations in Afghanistan to the tune of €872 million. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)