EU releases emergency funding to support flood-hit communities in Afghanistan

The European Union has announced €175,000 (more than 13 million afghanis) in humanitarian assistance to support communities affected by recent flooding across Afghanistan.

The funding is expected to assist around 12,000 people in some of the hardest-hit provinces, including Badghis, Farah, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Logar and Uruzgan.

According to officials, the support will be channelled through the Afghan Red Crescent Society to deliver emergency cash assistance aimed at helping families meet their most urgent needs. The aid package will also include essential relief items such as tents, blankets and basic household supplies.

Additional assistance will focus on providing hygiene kits, access to safe drinking water and primary healthcare services to affected populations.

The funding forms part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which enables rapid response to emergencies.

The EU remains one of the largest humanitarian donors to Afghanistan, with more than €162 million allocated this year alone to support aid operations in the country. Earlier in 2026, the bloc also released €250,000 to assist communities displaced by ongoing conflict.

In addition to financial support, the EU has facilitated nearly 50 humanitarian airlift operations in recent years, including three flights so far this year delivering approximately 270 tonnes of nutrition supplies.

Officials said the latest funding underscores continued international efforts to address urgent humanitarian needs following natural disasters, as many Afghan communities face growing vulnerability due to recurring climate shocks and economic challenges.

The European Union and its member states are among the world’s leading providers of humanitarian assistance, supporting millions of people affected by conflicts and natural disasters each year.

Through its humanitarian operations arm, the EU delivers aid based on need, with the aim of saving lives, reducing suffering and protecting human dignity in crisis-affected regions.

The Disaster Response Emergency Fund, established in 1979 and supported by international donors, provides immediate financial assistance to national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies responding to emergencies, allowing for rapid deployment of relief efforts when disasters strike.