The European Union has committed $16.2mn to fund the Afghanistan Community Resilience Programme (ACRP), a two-year initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Running from 2024 to 2026, the programme aims to tackle critical challenges faced by rural communities in Afghanistan’s Kandahar, Helmand, and Badghis provinces by improving food security, enhancing sustainable livelihoods, and building resilience to climate-related shocks.
The ACRP will support over 7,000 vulnerable households in these regions, focusing on increasing agricultural productivity, diversifying livelihoods, and strengthening market linkages. The initiative will improve the production of staple crops, high-value agricultural products, and livestock to enhance food and nutrition security while boosting household incomes.
In addition to agricultural support, the programme will create employment opportunities through Cash-for-Work initiatives and foster the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A significant component of the programme will address the critical need for improved water resource management by rehabilitating and constructing community-based water projects, such as check dams and irrigation canals, which will support agricultural production and provide alternative livelihoods for former poppy farmers.
The ACRP will also establish or reactivate three multi-hazard early warning systems in high-risk, former poppy farming areas, improving community preparedness against floods and other disasters.
To ensure inclusivity, the programme will adopt a participatory approach, targeting the most vulnerable populations, including those without legal identity documents. Households will be selected based on vulnerability criteria developed in consultation with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that the programme effectively addresses the needs of those most affected by climate change, economic instability, and the poppy cultivation ban.
The European Union (EU) has been a consistent supporter of Afghan rural communities, focusing on building climate resilience, promoting sustainable agriculture, and improving livelihoods.
"Mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, which most severely affect women and children, is a priority for EU basic needs assistance to Afghanistan. With this new contribution, the EU’s support for climate resilience and agriculture-related projects now exceeds €100mn," said Veronika Boskovic Pohar, EU Chargée d’Affaires a.i.
Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized agriculture's vital role in the economy, noting that it sustains over 70% of the population. He highlighted that supporting farmers not only helps individuals but also strengthens communities, stressing that these initiatives are essential for improving farmers' resilience to climate change, drought, and poverty.
IOM Afghanistan Deputy Chief of Mission Mutya Maskun highlighted the EU’s crucial support in addressing the needs of vulnerable Afghans. She emphasized that the partnership helps communities affected by the poppy cultivation ban, promotes social cohesion, and provides long-term solutions to reduce displacement risks.
Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Afghanistan Resident Representative, highlighted the value of combining agency expertise. He noted that the initiative builds on UNDP's CBARD project, which has supported former poppy producers since 2016, offering a comprehensive support package that includes post-harvest handling, agro-processing, financing access, and early warning systems.
The ACRP is designed to complement other ongoing interventions in Afghanistan, creating synergies to provide a more coordinated response to rural communities' needs. FAO, IOM, and UNDP will collaborate closely, leveraging their collective expertise to strengthen partnerships with national and international networks, including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Counter Narcotics Working Group for Afghanistan.
Through this partnership, the ACRP aims to deliver sustainable, long-term support to vulnerable communities, helping them build resilience in the face of climate change, economic challenges, and the transition from poppy cultivation to sustainable livelihoods.
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