Country: Afghanistan Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations In response to the recent floods in Afghanistan, the European Union is providing €175 000 (over 13 million Afghani) in humanitarian funding to assist the most vulnerable communities. This funding will support around 12 000 people in Badghis, Farah, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Logar, Uruzgan. This EU funding supports the Afghan Red Crescent in delivering cash assistance to address the most urgent needs, as well as emergency shelter items such as tents, blankets and other household items. It is also foreseen to provide hygiene kits, access to safe water and primary health care. 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 more than €162 million already allocated this year for humanitarian partners in the country. Earlier this year, the EU also released another €250 000 to support the Afghan Red Crescent’s response to communities displaced by ongoing conflict. The EU has also organised nearly 50 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.
Afghanistan: European Union releases €175 000 in humanitarian aid in response to recent floods
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