The European Union has allocated €13 million for malnutrition treatment and community-based education in Afghanistan, according to UNICEF’s announcement on Sunday.
This funding will benefit over 78,000 children through nutrition and emergency education programs supported by the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
With the €13 million, UNICEF will procure 62,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and train 1,600 health workers to address severe acute malnutrition in children under five.
Additionally, UNICEF will enhance the quality of 275 community-based education classes, enabling 9,500 children (61% girls) to access primary education.
Afghanistan faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 23.7 million people in need of assistance this year, including 2.9 million children expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2024.
The 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey reports that more than half of Afghan children do not attend primary school, highlighting the educational crisis in the country.
François Goemans, Head of EU humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, emphasized the urgency of addressing malnutrition and the importance of providing quality education amidst one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The two-year intervention will target 69,000 children under five for malnutrition treatment and support 9,500 children and adolescents in four provinces with community-based education.
The dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and instability, underscores the urgent need for international aid.
The severe restrictions on resources and violations of human rights, including the denial of education and employment opportunities for women and girls, contribute to the deepening poverty and suffering.
Efforts like the EU’s funding are crucial, but they only address part of the broader crisis. Comprehensive support is needed to tackle the systemic issues affecting education and healthcare, ensuring that all children, especially the most vulnerable, can build a better future despite the challenging conditions.
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