European Union Strengthens Livelihoods and Resilience in Afghan Communities
The European Union is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the people of Afghanistan with a EUR 15 million top-up to its ongoing partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for Building Climate Resilience and Strengthening Food Systems in Afghanistan.
This action will continue to support efforts to address the compounding challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty and climate change by combining home-grown school feeding with climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable natural resource management, and private-sector engagement in agribusiness.
“The European Union’s contribution to WFP demonstrates our continued commitment to the Afghan people, notably women, children and vulnerable local communities,” said Eric Beaume, EU Delegation Head of Cooperation. “The EU’s EUR 15 million contribution reflects our strong commitment to supporting the Afghan people through sustainable, climate-resilient food systems. By investing in agribusiness, food value chains and school feeding, the EU is helping to strengthen nutrition, protect livelihoods and reinforce the economic resilience of vulnerable rural communities. Through this integrated approach, we are not only addressing immediate food needs, but also helping communities withstand natural disasters and the growing long-term impacts of climate change.”
The additional 12 months of funding will consolidate the partnership with WFP on integrated support for school feeding and community resilience. Based on evolving needs on the ground, greater emphasis will be placed on agribusiness, including food safety and quality for market development. Home-grown school feeding will continue in a more targeted manner through locally produced snacks for primary school children, while significant investment in climate resilience will be maintained.
"We are grateful to the European Union for their strategic investment. This contribution is designed to deliver a triple return on investment: strengthened livelihoods and resilience, more robust local food systems and expanded opportunities for women and youth,” said John Aylieff, WFP Representative and Country Director in Afghanistan. “This partnership underscores the vital role of sustained international support in addressing Afghanistan’s urgent food security and livelihood needs."
The top up contribution significantly builds on the EU’s longstanding support for resilience and school feeding programmes in Afghanistan, actively strengthening the local private sector by promoting local procurement and creating strong linkages with humanitarian programs.