The European Union is allocating €200,000 (over 15.5 million Afghan Afghanis) to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to families affected by the widespread flooding that hit large parts of the country over the past weeks. The aid will benefit 28,000 people in some of the most affected provinces, particularly in the western, northern and eastern regions.

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) and responds to an Emergency Appeal from the IFRC to fund critical interventions.

The emergency response includes the provision of health care services, shelter items, dignity kits and household items such as blankets, jerricans, tarpaulins, and kitchen sets. Multipurpose cash grants will also be provided to ensure they can meet their daily basic needs.

The latest contribution comes on top of the aid package of €400,000, channelled earlier this month in response to the floods.

Since 10 May, heavy rainfall has been affecting northern and northeastern Afghanistan, causing widespread floods and mudslides that have resulted in casualties and extensive damage. According to the United Nations and other media reports, more than 300 people are estimated to have died. As thousands of houses are also destroyed or damaged, a large number of people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance. The floods of this spring  have  affected 24 out of a total of 34 provinces in Afghanistan.

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 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 IFRC-DREF.  The delegation agreement between the IFRC and the EU enables the latter to replenish the IFRC-DREF for agreed operations within its humanitarian mandate up to a total of €8 million in 2024.