On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 June, the European External Action Service (EEAS), in collaboration with the European Commission’s DG ECHO and DG INTPA, organised high-level discussions in Brussels on the worsening crisis in Afghanistan, attended by senior officials from EU institutions, Member States, international partners and civil society.
The focus was on the evolving political situation, four years after the start of the Taliban regime, and the urgent humanitarian needs of around 23 million Afghans, “making this one of the most critical emergencies in the world”.
The EEAS points to a continuing deterioration in the human rights situation, particularly for women and girls, “prompting strong calls for a united international response”.
Participants also stressed the importance of integrating humanitarian aid - including a new EU envelope of €161 million announced on 17 June - into longer-term, sustainable solutions, such as agricultural development, private sector involvement and access to finance. They also emphasised an approach “by women, for women”. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)