More EU humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to help prevent famine

In view of the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, millions more euros in aid are to be channelled into the country from the European Union.

Around €125 million ($134.5 million) is to be made available to aid organizations in Afghanistan to prevent the risk of famine, the European Commission announced in Brussels on Monday.

The aid is to be used primarily for food, accommodation, health care and access to water and sanitary facilities.

According to the information, a further €11 million will go to Pakistan - for Afghan refugees and disaster preparedness.

Some €10 million has also been earmarked for humanitarian organizations in Iran, also for the care of Afghan refugees.

The European Commission has been providing humanitarian aid in Afghanistan since 1994, totalling around €1.8 billion to date. Last year, this totalled just under €160 million.

The situation in Afghanistan is considered one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. According to the commission, almost 24 million people there are dependent on aid. More than 15 million people are affected by acute food insecurity.