During a visit to Kabul, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, announced an additional €32 million to help civilians affected by the conflict in Afghanistan (see EUROPE 12608/16). Some 19 million Afghans are reportedly in need of assistance.
The funds will help the EU’s humanitarian partners provide basic assistance, such as life-saving health care and protection services, including emergency food and shelter, and emergency education to people affected by conflict, disasters and epidemics, says a European Commission statement.
“It is paramount that all parties to the conflict facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and expand safe and unhindered access to the most vulnerable”, said Lenarčič. He recalled that “the protection of civilians is a cornerstone of international humanitarian law and must be respected by all parties”.
The Commissioner therefore reiterated the EU’s call for an immediate ceasefire and stressed that the protection of civilians, educational institutions, hospitals, and humanitarian missions could not wait for the end of the peace negotiations (see EUROPE 12648/6).
During his trip, the Commissioner held talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, among others. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)