More than half of the Afghan population, 22.8 million people, are at risk of starvation. Some 5.5 million Afghans are internally displaced, while almost as many have fled to neighbouring countries or the region at large. The already weak economy has slumped further since the Taliban took (over) power. Many people who used to be able to provide for themselves without any problems have lost their work, resulting in them and their families becoming dependent on assistance. At the same time, a severe drought is decimating the harvest yields.

Germany providing 600 million euro for humanitarian purposes

Germany is providing an additional 600 million euro for humanitarian purposes in Afghanistan this year. This aid will directly benefit people via partner organisations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) or the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The German Government is providing this assistance mainly on the basis of the needs calculated by the United Nations and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

The relief organisations can use this money to provide quick and efficient assistance for millions of people in need throughout the country. At the same time, our partners ensure that the assistance is only used for humanitarian purposes and does not fall into the hands of the Taliban. In neighbouring countries such as Iran and Pakistan, Germany is also helping its partner organisations to meet humanitarian needs.

The World Food Programme (WFP), for instance, is helping people who had to leave their villages due to the hostilities or the ongoing severe drought and who have lost their livelihood as a result. The WFP is making available food and heating fuel to these people or providing cash so that families can buy their own supplies. This also benefits the local economy, as people can once more buy basic necessities in the markets.

The UNHCR, with Germany’s help, has set up accommodation, sanitary facilities and medical stations. Here the refugees, including many children, find shelter and receive medical care as well as essential supplies.

Who is the financial aid going to?

The Federal Foreign Office is making available 350 million euro to provide humanitarian assistance and support basic services. A further 250 million euro is being distributed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the development cooperation crisis instruments for medium-term resilience measures. The Federal Foreign Office financial aid is being allocated as follows:

WFP: 90 million euro

Country-Based Pooled Fund for Afghanistan: 65 million euro

UNHCR: 54 million euro

UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (financing basic services): 50 million euro

UNICEF: 20 million euro

WHO: 20 million euro

IOM: 20 million euro

UNMAS: 11 million euro International Committee of the Red Cross: 10 million euro

Other NGO projects (including Germany’s Welthungerhilfe, Johanniter International Assistance): 10 million euro

The German Government’s humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan is part of Germany’s humanitarian assistance around the globe, which is currently being deployed in more than 60 countries. Having provided a total of around 2.4 billion euro, Germany is once again the second-largest donor of humanitarian assistance in 2021.