EU gives Afghanistan €26m in aid

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan has hailed a contribution of 25 million euros (over US$26 million) from the European Union (EU).

In a statement, EU said: “This funding will enable WFP to continue providing lifesaving support to some of the most vulnerable families through food or cash assistance.

“It will also help ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as children under five, continue to receive specialised nutritious food.”

Additionally, the funding will help WFP keep the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) up and running.

This new contribution will allow WFP to support nearly 600,000 people with food or cash assistance and provide over 250,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and more than 140,000 children with specialised nutritious food, ensuring they receive the critical nutrition and care they need.

“Food security in Afghanistan is marginally improving, largely thanks to massive humanitarian assistance from partners like the European Union,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP deputy country director in Afghanistan/

“Our overarching goal is to address hunger and promote food security for the most vulnerable across the country, especially for women and children who are often hit the hardest by the food insecurity.”

UNHAS, operated by WFP, is vital in facilitating humanitarian efforts across Afghanistan - a nation grappling with decades of conflict, natural disasters, and economic challenges.

The air service provides safe, reliable, and efficient transport for humanitarian workers, supplies, and aid, especially to remote and hard-to-reach areas where road access is either impossible or dangerous.

“The European Union is steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Afghanistan, who are facing one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises,” said François Goemans, head of the EU humanitarian aid operations in Afghanistan.

“We will continue to work with longstanding humanitarian partners like WFP to deliver life-saving aid to those communities that are most in need.”

Last year, WFP reached a total of 18.6 million people across all its programmes, distributing 600,000 metric tons of food and disbursing US$190 million in cash or vouchers to help families meet their food needs. Among those reached, 9.3 million were women and girls and an estimated 5.8 million people with disabilities.

sa/mud