On Wednesday 20 September, the European Commission announced the release of €140 million to support education, health, agriculture and the economic emancipation of women in Afghanistan.
These funds should be devoted in particular to projects such as “supporting a favourable learning environment for both boys and girls”, strengthening “basic health services” or “improving child nutrition”, according to a Commission press release.
The amount of this aid had been blocked by the EU since December, after the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for NGOs.
“Over the past 6 months, the international community has found a way to provide desperately needed support to women, girls and other vulnerable groups”, said European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. “This support offers livelihood solutions to millions of people, while not recognising the de facto Taliban authorities”.
The €140 million is part of the €1 billion aid programme for the Afghan people announced by the EU in August 2021. EU funds will continue to be channelled through UN agencies, the World Bank and international non-governmental organisations working on the ground. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)