This funding will support humanitarian organisations working inside Afghanistan with over €141 million, while also responding to the needs of Afghan citizens and refugees in Pakistan and Iran, with €10 million allocated per country.As part of the EU support, a new flight of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive on 17 June, bringing nearly 100 tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies. Since the launch of this air bridge in 2021, a total of 40 flights have been arranged, carrying around 2,150 tonnes of relief items.The new EU funding will include food assistance, healthcare services and treatment for malnutrition, and improved access to clean water and sanitation in remote areas. It also involves the protection of vulnerable groups, including offering legal assistance and safeguarding the rights of at-risk individuals. Education in emergencies is prioritised, with a particular focus on ensuring access for girls, as well as disaster preparedness measures.EU humanitarian aid is solely channelled through humanitarian partners working on the ground.
Background
The announcement comes as senior representatives of the humanitarian community gathered in Brussels today to discuss Afghanistan’s current situation, main challenges, and ways forward.Humanitarian needs remain high in Afghanistan, amidst high poverty rates, consecutive droughts and other natural risks, and forced returns of Afghans from neighbouring countries in the past years. Nearly 24 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with almost 15 million suffering from acute food insecurity. Women and girls continue facing restrictions to education and work opportunities.Against this background, over 8 million Afghans are estimated to be displaced in Pakistan and Iran, making this refugee crisis one of the most protracted in the world. In both countries, Afghans encounter limited livelihood and job opportunities, and they are disproportionately affected by climate-related and other disasters. Since the start of the year, a new increase in deportations of Afghans has been recorded from both Pakistan and Iran.Since 2021, the EU has provided over €860 million in humanitarian funding for the crisis in Afghanistan.
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Quote(s)
As the Afghan people continue to face numerous hardships, both within Afghanistan and in Pakistan and Iran, the EU remains ready to help. Particularly concerning are the needs of the thousands of Afghans that have been recently returned to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries, a situation that is only adding to the population’s suffering. This EU funding will provide much needed aid to the most vulnerable, so they can get food, healthcare, education and other essential services.
Source – EU Commission
EEAS: Afghanistan: Senior Officials meet in Brussels to assess political, humanitarian, and basic needs
Four years into Taliban rule, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a severe socio-economic crisis. Approximately 23 million Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, making it one of the world’s most critical emergencies. The human rights situation continues to deteriorate—especially for women and girls—prompting strong calls for a united international response.
The humanitarian aid package announced by the EU will provide food, healthcare, malnutrition treatment, clean water, sanitation, legal and protection services, emergency education (especially for girls), and disaster preparedness. All aid is delivered exclusively through humanitarian partners working directly on the ground.
Participants stressed the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach that supports a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, anchored in international norms and obligations. Afghan voices—regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion—must shape the path forward. Regional stability is inseparable from Afghanistan’s future. Sustained technical engagement with the de facto authorities remains necessary to ensure humanitarian access and address urgent basic needs, while advancing a coordinated response to Afghanistan’s complex challenges.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating humanitarian support with longer-term, sustainable solutions. Combining immediate life-saving aid with initiatives that foster resilience and stability is essential as needs increase and financial resources dwindle. The participants explored ways to improve the living conditions of the Afghan population, especially through agricultural development, private sector engagement, and access to finance. They put a strong emphasis on the principled “by women, for women” approach to aid delivery. This is critical for ensuring women’s participation and fostering local economic growth.
The meeting gathered senior officials from the EU Institutions, EU Member States, Gulf countries, major donors, G7 partners, the United Nations, the World Bank, and representatives of Afghan and international civil society and NGOs.
Source – EEAS