EUROPEAN UNION RELEASES €250 000 IN HUMANITARIAN AID TO HELP AFGHAN DISPLACED POPULATION

In response to the increasing number of displaced people due to escalating conflict, the European Union is providing €250 000 (over 18 million Afghani) in humanitarian funding to assist the most vulnerable, including those already impacted by last year's earthquakes. This funding will support around 70 000 people in the provinces of Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika and Paktya.

This EU funding supports the Afghan Red Crescent in delivering much needed relief, including distributing food and cash assistance to address the most urgent needs, as well as emergency shelter. It is also foreseen to provide access to primary health care, safe water and sanitation and other essential services.

The funding is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The European remains a leading humanitarian donor in Afghanistan, with over €161 million allocated in 2025 for humanitarian partners in the country. The EU has also organised dozens of EU-funded humanitarian flights in past years, including 3 so far this year with 270 tonnes of nutrition supplies.

Background

The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

The European Union is signatory to a €12 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). The Disaster Response Emergency Fund was established in 1979 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF, which can then be replenished by the donors.