Italy Pledges $2.9 Million to Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund

Italy has pledged $2.9 million to Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Fund, supporting UN efforts to assist vulnerable populations amid the country’s escalating humanitarian crisis.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Monday that Italy has contributed $2.89 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.

OCHA said the funding will strengthen the UN’s ability to respond to emergencies and protect vulnerable people across the country.

Earlier, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said Italy had provided one million euros to support Afghan women and youth in accessing legal sources of income.

The UN Trust Fund for Afghanistan also announced that Italy contributed $2.8 million to protect cultural heritage and improve housing and climate-resilient economic solutions.

These contributions come as aid agencies warn that humanitarian needs in Afghanistan continue to rise sharply amid economic hardship and prolonged instability.

Afghanistan’s economy has struggled since the Taliban takeover, with reduced international engagement, frozen assets and widespread unemployment pushing millions into poverty.

International donors increasingly channel assistance through UN agencies to ensure aid reaches civilians while avoiding direct engagement with the Taliban authorities.

The UN has warned that Afghanistan is expected to face one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises this year. OCHA has said that in 2026 about 22 million people, roughly 45 percent of the population, will require humanitarian assistance.

Aid officials say Italy’s expanded support will help sustain lifesaving programmes, but stress that far greater international funding is needed to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

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