Fight against Covid: EU gives Kabul 35m euros in aid

KABUL (Pajhwok): The EU-Delegation on Tuesday announced additional support of 35 million euros for Afghanistan in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the deadly disease, the EU said it had mobilised about 147 million euros to address the immediate health crisis and provide humanitarian aid to the needy.

In a statement, the EU Delegation said: “The pandemic has exacerbated an already grim situation in Afghanistan, creating even bigger needs in a country for decades plagued by war.”

The EU said its contribution aimed to support those who suffered the most from the crisis.

The three projects launched today would contribute to strengthening the response capacity of health systems, hoped EU Ambassador Andreas Von Brandt.

Import restrictions and widespread unemployment have worsened food insecurity in the country.

Support from the EU and its partners, 300 000 children and their mothers would also receive community nutrition services.

Sheema Sen Gupta, UNICEF representative in Afghanistan, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on the already weak health system and worsened underlying health and gender vulnerabilities.

“This generous EU funding will allow UNICEF to respond quickly to this secondary wave of challenges which profoundly affects the health and safety of children and women.”

The projects implemented by UNICEF and the Aga Khan-led consortium include actions to mitigate women’s, children’s and teenager’s vulnerability to various forms of gender-based violence.

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