The European Union (EU) on Tuesday committed over €5.7 million in funding to the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA) to support their livestock program.
This initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan, benefiting 350,000 households across 16 provinces, the EU said.
According to the statement, the program focuses on improving animal health and increasing dietary diversity within these communities.
By doing so, it aims to enhance food security, strengthen community resilience, and facilitate the transition from aid dependency to self-sufficiency, the statement added/
Expressing her satisfaction with the impact of EU funding on rural communities, Raffaella Iodice, the EU Chargée d’Affaires to Afghanistan, stated, “I am very glad to see how our European funding to rural communities can make a real difference on the ground. Jointly with the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan, we ensure that 350,000 households will be more food secure and less dependent on international aid assistance.”
Abdul Qadir Fakhri, the Program Director of the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan, reaffirmed their commitment to improving food and nutritional diversity, resource management, value chain development, income generation, and job creation.
The DCA employs a unique approach to building resilience by leveraging the expertise of technically competent private sector actors, such as professional paravets who provide services in a sustainable manner.
Fakhri expressed his gratitude to the European Union for their faith in the DCA and their support for this project.
EU says that rural farming communities in Afghanistan face challenges such as animal feed shortages, poor animal health, and economic crises, which often force them to sell their livestock below market price.
The EU-funded program aims to address these issues by supporting private sector actors, pastoralist households, rural youth, the elderly, disabled individuals, displaced populations, returnees, and women, the statement added.
By promoting livelihood safeguarding and diversifying food intake, the initiative creates opportunities for private sector development and enhances the resilience of vulnerable rural communities through innovative livestock-focused strategies, the EU said.
The statement concluded that through this substantial investment, the European Union is demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of Afghan families and fostering sustainable development in the country.
