The United Kingdom has unveiled a new food security and climate resilience initiative aimed at boosting self-sufficiency for half a million vulnerable Afghans, with a focus on empowering women and adapting to climate-driven challenges.
The initiative, announced by the U.K. government on Thursday, will deliver drought-resistant seeds, more nutritious crops, improved irrigation and water storage, and training in sustainable farming techniques. Half of the program’s recipients will be women, underscoring what officials described as a continued British commitment to the rights and livelihoods of Afghan women.
“The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is having a devastating impact on millions of people,” said Hamish Falconer, the U.K. Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. “I am proud that the U.K. continues to play a leading role in supporting the country’s people, with this new programme helping to boost nutrition and food security.”
The PREVALE program will be implemented in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the British NGO Afghanaid. It represents a shift toward long-term development solutions over emergency aid, as Afghanistan faces worsening food insecurity fueled by repeated droughts and economic instability.
With more than 23 million Afghans currently in need of humanitarian assistance, the U.K. said its efforts aim to bolster local resilience and reduce long-term dependency. Officials also framed the support as part of a broader strategy to contribute to global security and align with the U.K. government’s “Plan for Change.”
