Europe provides €1 million in monetary aid and 130 tons of material assistance as humanitarian relief following the earthquake in Afghanistan.

The European Union (EU) is stepping up its efforts to provide aid to the affected population in Afghanistan, following the devastating magnitude-6 earthquake on 31 August. The disaster struck the north-eastern provinces of Kunar, Nangharhar, and Laghman, causing at least 800 reported deaths and leaving millions in need of immediate assistance.

For decades, the EU has been a vital source of humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. Since 1994, the EU has provided approximately €2 billion in funding to support relief operations on the ground. This aid has been solely channelled through humanitarian partners, ensuring that it reaches those in need as efficiently as possible.

In response to the recent earthquake, the EU has approved €1 million in humanitarian emergency funding for the affected population. This new aid package will bring immediate relief to people in the affected areas, including additional relief supplies beyond the 130 tonnes of aid already donated earlier this year. The EU will donate these supplies via two EU-funded humanitarian flights scheduled to arrive in Kabul this week.

The relief supplies will include essential items such as tents, clothes, medical supplies, and water purification material. To ensure the aid is delivered effectively, the EU has activated the Copernicus satellite service to produce emergency maps for aid delivery.

Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, made a statement regarding this new assistance, expressing the EU's commitment to assisting the impacted population. The EU has also been organizing humanitarian flights to Afghanistan since 2021, with several flights already conducted following the deadly 2023 earthquake in Herat, carrying approximately 2,000 tonnes of life-saving items.

Afghanistan is currently one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, with nearly 23 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance this year. Mass repatriations of Afghans from neighbouring countries in recent months have further increased the population's needs. The EU is mobilizing all available resources to assist the impacted population following the latest earthquake.

The EU's unwavering support for Afghanistan is a testament to its commitment to humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts worldwide. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, the EU remains dedicated to providing the necessary assistance to those in need.