The European Union will provide 44 million euros of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The aim is to help people in need of Southwest and Central Asia as they continue to face the repercussions of wars, conflicts and displacement as well as natural disasters. The new tranche of funding will also help Afghan refugees and their families in Pakistan and Iran, help victims of the conflicts and improve disaster risk management in Central Asia.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, who was recently in the region, commented that the aid would help hundreds of thousands of people. “Children always suffer the most in long-lasting crises which is why a significant part of this funding will also focus on education in emergencies. Investing in children’s future is crucial for the stabilization of the entire region,” he said. The EU money will focus on providing emergency shelter, health, water, hygiene and sanitation.
€25.5 million will be allocated to help internally displaced people in Afghanistan who have fled violence or been injured, as well as the most vulnerable Afghan refugees returning to their country. The EU will also expand its support in Iran by boosting humanitarian organizations working in the country, which will receive almost 10 million euros to help complement efforts to provide for the basic needs of Afghan refugees and their families. Pakistan will benefit from aid of about 7 million euros that will help Pakistanis who have been displaced by internal conflict and will also provide basic services for Afghan refugees. About 2 million will be provided for disaster risk reduction throughout Central Asia to better respond to natural hazards.
