The European Union has pledged €200,000 ($217,000) to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to families affected by the widespread flooding that hit large parts of the country over the past weeks.
The aid will benefit 28,000 people in some of the most affected provinces, particularly in the western, northern and eastern regions, the EU said in a statement Tuesday.
The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and responds to an Emergency Appeal from the IFRC to fund critical interventions.
The emergency response includes the provision of health care services, shelter items, dignity kits and household items such as blankets, jerricans, tarpaulins, and kitchen sets.
Multipurpose cash grants will also be provided to ensure they can meet their daily basic needs.
The latest contribution comes on top of the aid package of €400,000, channeled earlier this month in response to the floods.
Since 10 May, heavy rainfall has been affecting northern and northeastern Afghanistan, causing widespread floods and mudslides that have resulted in casualties and extensive damage.
According to the United Nations and other media reports, more than 300 people are estimated to have died.
As thousands of houses are also destroyed or damaged, a large number of people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance. The floods of this spring have affected 24 out of a total of 34 provinces in Afghanistan.
