EU approves €3.5 million humanitarian aid package in response to the earthquake in Afghanistan

Following the deadly earthquake that hit western Afghanistan, the EU will provide emergency humanitarian aid for an amount of €3.5 million, in order to address the most urgent needs of the affected population.

A new allocation of €2.5 million will be available for humanitarian partners that are already carrying out relief operations on the ground. Currently, the main needs are emergency shelter, medical relief items, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation in an area that has been recently affected by droughts.

The new assistance comes in addition to the €89 million in humanitarian aid already allocated in 2023 for humanitarian organizations in the country. EU humanitarian aid in Afghanistan is solely channeled through the humanitarian partners on the ground.

In addition, the EU is offering in-kind assistance from its own humanitarian stocks in Dubai, in the framework of the European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC).

Shelter kits, winterized tents, hygiene kits, and other supplies are available to the humanitarian partners, depending on their needs on the ground, and ready to be delivered via a new flight of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge.

The overall cost of the operation has been estimated at approximately €1 million. So far 31 flights have already been organised through this air bridge, the latest having just arrived on 7 October.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The recent earthquake in Afghanistan comes to add suffering to a population which was already facing a dire humanitarian situation. The EU will continue supporting the Afghan people, mobilizing the different tools we have at our disposal. This aid package, worth €3.5 million, will bring much-needed relief to the victims of this devastating disaster.”