[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1134, 207], "category": "Text", "text": "*Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan* (2023-2025)⁷ adopted in June 2023 and the World Bank strategic approach are also aligned to the *Framework for International Partner Support in Afghanistan* (2023-2025)."}, {"bbox": [96, 218, 1136, 538], "category": "Text", "text": "Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 20 March 2023 acknowledge that a stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the entire international community to prevent regional instability, terrorism threats, forced displacement and irregular migration. They reaffirm the European Union's principled commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan. The present Action contributes to the international efforts for addressing basic human needs in Afghanistan, in line with the Commission's objectives and priorities, as well as Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on Afghanistan of 21 September 2021 and 20 March 2023. In the absence of any notable progress by the Taliban de facto authorities on the human rights situation, which continues to deteriorate especially as regards women and girls, an inclusive governance and addressing the humanitarian and economic situation, the Action focuses on principled support directly benefitting the people of Afghanistan by addressing part of their basic human needs. The Action will specifically aim to (i) improve the uptake of basic services, and (ii) enhance resilient livelihoods and economic opportunities. A strong focus on human rights and the empowerment of women, in all their diversity, as well as climate action, will run through the entire portfolio."}, {"bbox": [96, 548, 1136, 813], "category": "Text", "text": "Further progress has occurred on a possible political track on Afghanistan. In his independent assessment on Afghanistan (December 2023), the UN-appointed Special Coordinator called for a more structured engagement with Afghan stakeholders including the Taliban de facto authorities, expanding basic needs assistance and shifting to more sustainable aid modalities, and suggested the appointment of a Special Envoy by the UN Secretary General. The subsequent Resolution 2721(2023) adopted by the Security Council on 29 December 2023 stresses \"the importance of an engagement architecture to guide and bring more coherence to political, humanitarian and development activities\". The Doha II meeting of 18-19 February 2024 resulted in a high level of consensus on a desire by the international community to engage jointly towards a medium-term end goal in which Afghanistan would be at peace with itself, its neighbours and the wider international community, and which respects the rights of its citizens."}, {"bbox": [96, 825, 1136, 1226], "category": "Text", "text": "The intervention strategy for this special measure builds foremost on results achieved with the implementation of the 2021 and 2022 special measures for Afghanistan, as well as the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls which ended in 2023. It is also aligned with the 2023 special measure adopted in November 2023 by complementing interventions for a comprehensive basic needs and livelihoods' assistance package with a meaningful impact on Afghan lives. Flexibility will allow to eventually readjust focus on sectors and activities feasible within the Afghan context, depending on political dynamics during the implementation period of the Action. The Action has been elaborated in close partnership with EU humanitarian actors preserving the humanitarian space in project implementation and aid coordination, as well as EU crisis response experts and the EU Member States. Through its basic needs support including to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees, the Action is also complementary to EU funded support in the field of migration and forced displacement in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. Thus, it will directly contribute to the Team Europe Initiative on the Afghan displacement situation's Specific Objectives 1 and 2⁸. Several consultations have been held with civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector actors, other donors, international financing institutions and UN agencies, notably during the NDICI mid-term review process, but also for the preparation of the ACG *Framework for International Partner Support to Afghanistan* finalised during 2023."}, {"bbox": [96, 1236, 1136, 1317], "category": "Text", "text": "In addition, the EU established in early 2023 a *Basic Needs Forum* with EU-funded NGO implementing partners for regular consultation and exchanges of views on implementation related challenges. A similar structured dialogue takes place with UN implementing partners. Since 2022, the EU has also conducted studies on the issues"}, {"bbox": [85, 1355, 1144, 1500], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ The United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan articulates the UN's approach to addressing basic human needs in Afghanistan. Anchored in the principle of leaving no one behind, the UN Strategic Framework prioritizes the needs and rights of those most vulnerable and marginalized, including women and girls, children and youth, internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, ethnic and religious minorities, geographically isolated communities, sexual and gender minorities, the Kuchi community, persons with disabilities, human rights defenders, people who use drugs, and people living with and affected by HIV."}, {"bbox": [85, 1500, 1144, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ The Regional Team Europe Initiative on the Afghan displacement situation has the overall objective to enable durable solutions for Afghans on the move in Afghanistan and Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. Specific objectives are: 1) Improve protection of refugees, Internally displaced persons, migrants and asylum seekers; 2) Strenghenthen resilience and self-reliance, including life-saving assistance, of refugees, internally displaced persons, migrants, asylum seekers and host community members (persons of concern); and 3) Contribute to develop and implement effective migration governance and management systems to preventing irregular migration, countering migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 38"}]