The European Commission has released additional funding of three million euro for Afghanistan to help people affected by flooding and those seeking refuge from military operations in Pakistan.
In addition, five million euro has been allocated for Pakistan for people displaced by the military operation in North Waziristan, said the EUآ’s executive body in a statement here today.
It brings the overall EU humanitarian aid for these two countries in 2014 to 76.5 million euro.
"Conflict and food insecurity keep millions of people in humanitarian need in Pakistan. In Afghanistan, a country which has been repeatedly weakened by conflict, insecurity and under-development, now severe flooding and a spill-over of the conflict in neighbouring Pakistan are adding to the burden. It is vital that we protect the most vulnerable, particular women, children and the elderly, by providing them with the protection and assistance they so badly need," said EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, responsible for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid.
In Pakistan, military operations in June caused a new wave of displacement from North Waziristan Agency to neighbouring districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province as well as across the border into Afghanistan, noted the statement. The additional funding will provide food, shelter, medicines, drinking water, as well as protection activities for the displaced. Support will also be given to those Pakistani families who are seeking refuge in Afghanistan and who have been relying on the generosity of local host communities or living in camps. In addition to hosting Pakistani refugees, Afghanistan was also affected by serious floods and landslides in May. The new funding will contribute to relief efforts for vulnerable flood-affected families who lost their homes and livelihoods.