The European Commission has allocated an additional €40 million in emergency assistance to Afghanistan.
The aid is meant for those affected by the worsening humanitarian situation in the country, as well as for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran.
This brings EU’s total humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to €77 million in 2019: €61 million in Afghanistan, €9 million in Pakistan and €7 million in Iran.
“The humanitarian outlook in Afghanistan is as bleak as ever. Not only has the conflict intensified since the beginning of the year, but devastating floods have also hit this war-torn country,” an EU official said.
In a statement on Friday, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said the EU was boosting humanitarian aid to help those most in need, especially children.
The new funding will be used to help vulnerable families, focusing on war victims, forced displacement and natural disasters, as well as returning refugees.
The vulnerable people will be given emergency healthcare, shelter, food, access to clean water, sanitation facilities and protection services, targeting women and children.
The EU promised it would also continue to provide education for drop-out children.
In Pakistan, the statement said the EU funding would provide assistance to Afghan refugees.
In Iran, EU aid will ensure the delivery of vital assistance, including protection and access to basic services such as education and healthcare, to Afghan refugees.
