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EU allocates over $6 million to support livestock program in Afghanistan
The European Union (EU) announced Tuesday it has allocated more than €5.7 million ($6.2 million) to the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan’s (DCA) livestock program in support of vulnerable local populations in the country.
The program helps 350,000 vulnerable community households across 16 provinces to improve animal health of their livestock and increase dietary diversity. This will improve food security, strengthen community resilience and support rural communities in transitioning from aid dependency towards self-sufficiency.
“I am very glad to see how our European funding to rural communities can make a real difference on the ground. Jointly with the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan, we ensure that 350,000 households will be more food secure and less dependent on international aid assistance”, said the EU Chargée d’Affaires to Afghanistan, Raffaella Iodice.
Abdul Qadir Fakhri, the Program Director of the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan confirmed: “We are committed to improve food and nutritional diversity, extension services, natural resource management, value chain development, income production, and job creation for 350,000 disadvantaged households through this cooperation with the European Union.
“DCA takes a unique approach to resilience building by utilizing technically competent private sector such as professional paravets (veterinary workers) who provide services for a fee in a more sustainable manner. I am extremely grateful to the European Union for putting their faith in the DCA and supporting this project,” he said.
Animal feed shortages and poor animal health, compounded by an economic crisis, often leave rural farming communities no other choice than selling their livestock below the market price.
According to a statement issued by the EU, the program supports private sector actors, pastoralist households, rural youth, elderly, disabled, displaced, returnees, and women. Safeguarding livelihoods and diversification of food intake is promoted by creating opportunities for private sector development and enhancing the existing resilience mechanism of rural vulnerable communities through livestock-focused innovations.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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