Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran: EU Commission allocates €18m in humanitarian aid

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The European Commission has adopted an €18 million humanitarian aid decision to assist the most vulnerable people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters in the region of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. This funding will benefit returning refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities. Relief will be provided in the form of shelter and basic services, such as water and sanitation. All funds will be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.

Louis Michel said: "Despite the relative improvement in the political situation in Afghanistan, the absolute level of needs remains high and requires a continued humanitarian engagement. The European Commission is committed to assisting the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries".

The immense international support to the Afghan government for rehabilitation and development is slowly yielding results. These efforts have been offset, however, by the large scale of refugee return-over 19% of the current population of 23 million have returned home in the last four years. Humanitarian needs remain acute as 2006 was a year of severe drought, exacerbating the situation of people already made vulnerable by 23 years of war and five successive years of drought between 1998 and 2004. The security situation deteriorated in 2006, as attacks by the Taliban forces against the military, civilians and humanitarian workers increased.

Relief will be provided for the return and reintegration of refugees coming from Iran and Pakistan, for IDPs and their host communities, most of whom have recently returned. Projects will target the most vulnerable populations. Activities will include improving access to drinking water and sanitation activities and providing shelter and hygiene education, as well as livelihood support, in the form of nutrition and food security Given the continued insecurity throughout the country, provision of air transport will be maintained. The impact of localised natural disasters, such as floods and drought, will also be addressed through emergency relief to the most vulnerable and disaster preparedness.

Projects will be implemented by the Commission operational partners, such as UN Agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Action Contre la Faim, Oxfam and IRC .

Since 2004, the European Commission has allocated nearly €100 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

More info: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/field/afghanistan/index_en.htm

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