The European Commission has announced a new aid package worth €146 million for Afghanistan, aimed at strengthening essential services and improving livelihoods, with a focus on women, children, and vulnerable populations such as internally displaced persons, refugees, minorities, and returnees.
Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, said in a statement that the aid is being allocated in response to Afghanistan’s growing humanitarian needs, particularly as the rights of women and girls continue to erode under Taliban rule.
“The European Union stands firmly in support of the people of Afghanistan,” Urpilainen said. “The more the Taliban restrict the freedoms of women and girls, the more critical our presence and that of the international community becomes.”
Urpilainen emphasized that the EU’s efforts will ensure that women play a meaningful role in planning and implementing the assistance programs.
Since 2021, the European Union has provided a total of €903 million to Afghanistan, with €743 million dedicated to humanitarian aid. The latest package is part of a long-term partnership between the EU and the United Nations.
As part of this collaboration, Urpilainen signed three agreements to support livelihoods and healthcare services in Afghanistan. The agreements include €15 million for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), €16 million for the World Health Organization (WHO), and €15 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The EU’s statement highlighted the importance of the private sector and access to financial resources in securing livelihoods for the Afghan population. The support will focus on creating economic opportunities, especially for women and vulnerable groups.
