UK provides $3.5 million in Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) recently revealed that the UK and Northern Ireland have donated £28.7 million ($36.5 million) to assist Afghanistan through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

This funding will play a pivotal role in supporting WFP’s emergency response to address food insecurity among Afghan families, particularly focusing on nutrition for malnourished children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Tariq Ahmad, the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, and the UN, emphasized that this aid will benefit more than two million people throughout Afghanistan, especially those who are most vulnerable. The targeted groups include widows, families led by women or children, and individuals with disabilities.

This assistance is particularly timely as it will provide crucial support during the harsh Afghanistan winter.

The substantial donation will enable the purchase of 13,000 metric tons of essential supplies like wheat flour, vegetable oil, pulses, and salt. These provisions will sustain over a million people for an entire month.

Furthermore, as part of the aid package, up to one million individuals will receive cash-based transfers to fulfil their food requirements during the winter season.

WFP has already put the donated funds to use by stockpiling 7,000 metric tons of food in remote areas, preparing for the challenges presented by winter conditions. Mutinta Chimuka, Afghanistan’s Deputy Country Director for WFP, underscored the critical importance of this support, particularly for vulnerable families, as they navigate the most challenging period of the year.

“The harsh Afghan winter is critical for families,” said Mutinta Chimuka, Afghanistan’s Deputy Country Director for WFP. “This UK support is crucial for helping vulnerable families through the most challenging season.”

The significance of this donation is further highlighted by WFP’s track record in Afghanistan in 2023, where they were able to reach over 18 million people largely due to substantial contributions like this.

The UK has consistently been among WFP’s top five donors in Afghanistan, having contributed £183.7 million ($209 million) in the past two years, demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian aid in the country

The post UK provides $3.5 million in Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan appeared first on Khaama Press.