The European Commission announced €161 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan in 2025 as the country faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The funding will support humanitarian organizations working inside Afghanistan with over €141 million, while €10 million each will go to Afghan citizens and refugees in neighboring Pakistan and Iran, according to a EC press release. The announcement came as senior humanitarian representatives met in Brussels on June 17th to discuss Afghanistan’s current situation and challenges.
Nearly 24 million people need humanitarian help in Afghanistan, with almost 15 million facing acute hunger. Women and girls continue to face restrictions on education and work, while repeated droughts and other natural disasters have made conditions worse. Over 8 million Afghans are living in Pakistan and Iran, making this one of the world’s longest-running refugee crises.
The EU money will provide food aid, healthcare, malnutrition treatment, and better access to clean water and sanitation in remote areas. Education in emergencies is a priority, with focus on making sure girls can go to school, along with disaster preparedness measures. A new EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight arrived on June 17th, bringing nearly 100 tonnes of supplies – the 40th flight since 2021, carrying around 2,150 tonnes of relief items.
“The needs of the thousands of Afghans that have been recently returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries are particularly concerning, a situation that is only adding to the population’s suffering,” said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
Since 2021, the EU has provided over €860 million in humanitarian funding for the Afghanistan crisis. The aid goes through humanitarian partners working on the ground to reach the most vulnerable people.
