KABUL (Pajhwok): The European Union (EU) has announced €140 million (nearly $150 million) in aid for education, healthcare, agriculture and women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan.
On her X account, Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, wrote: “I announced at #UNGA our decision to provide €140 million worth basic needs support to #Afghanistan people. These funds are released following six-month trial period and assessment of the “for women by women” principle. Our aid will not go through the Taliban structures.”
She said the funds will be used in improving learning environments, reintegration of returning Afghans, basic health services, infectious diseases prevention and management of women’s economic empowerment.
The funds had been frozen in December 2022 due to the interim government’s ban on women work in non-governmental organizations, the bloc said in a statement.
It added that the decision to release the funds was based on six months of monitoring and assessment of the “for women by women” principle, which ensures Afghan women and girls participate in all aspects of the aid delivery process.
The funds will continue to be directed through UN agencies, international NGOs, and the World Bank, which all work on the ground, according to the statement.
sa/ma
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