The European Union has announced a €15 million funding top-up for its partnership with the UN World Food Programme to support school feeding and climate-resilient livelihoods in Afghanistan.
The additional funding extends the current work by 12 months and is linked to a programme described as “Building Climate Resilience and Strengthening Food Systems in Afghanistan”, according to the EU Delegation to Afghanistan, cited on Monday by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Work will combine “home-grown school feeding” — using locally produced food for school meals — with efforts focused on climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable natural resource management and private-sector engagement in agribusiness.
Eric Beaume, head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Afghanistan, said the contribution was intended to support Afghans, “notably women, children and vulnerable local communities.”
Focus on agribusiness and targeted school snacks
Greater emphasis will be placed on agribusiness, including food safety and quality measures linked to market development, the EU Delegation to Afghanistan said.
School feeding will continue in a more targeted way through locally produced snacks for primary school children, while investment in climate resilience will be maintainedf.
John Aylieff, WFP representative and country director in Afghanistan, said the EU contribution was designed to strengthen livelihoods and resilience, build local food systems and expand opportunities for women and young people.
The EU described the new funding as building on its longer-term support for resilience and school feeding programmes in Afghanistan, including support for local procurement and links with humanitarian programmes.
