The European Commission has announced humanitarian assistance of over 44 million Euros to help the people in need in the South-West and Central Asia, who continue to face the consequences of years of conflicts and displacement, as well as natural disasters, the Commission announced on its website.
The funding will support Afghan refugees and their families in Iran and Pakistan, help victims of conflict in Afghanistan, and improve disaster risk management in Central Asia.
“The EU’s assistance announced today that it will help hundreds of thousands of people affected by conflicts and natural disasters in South-West and Central Asia. I was recently in the region and saw first-hand the humanitarian needs of the 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 stabilisation of the entire region,” Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said.
The Commissioner made the announcement as he met with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan, Neil Buhne on Tuesday.
Some €25.5 million will help the internally displaced people in Afghanistan who have fled conflict or have been injured in it. The aid will focus on areas such as protection, food, emergency shelter, health, water, hygiene and sanitation.
The EU will also sustain and expand its support for people in need in Iran. Humanitarian organisations working in Iran will receive close to €10 million. The emphasis will be on children’s education, protection, food, water, health and sanitation.
Organisations in Pakistan will benefit from the funding with about €7 million, which will notably help Pakistanis who have been displaced by internal conflict and also help provide essential services to the Afghan refugees.
In Central Asia, over €2 million will be provided for reduction of disaster risk so communities would be better prepared to respond to natural hazards. The commission has been funding such programmes in the region since 1996.
