[{"bbox": [147, 152, 458, 181], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 1.2 Summary of the Action"}, {"bbox": [157, 193, 1074, 452], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action responds to the economic and social challenges facing the Afghan population following the overthrow of the constitutional government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan by the Taliban on 15 August 2021. On 11 October 2021, the EU Development Ministers agreed on the need to assist the population directly by addressing their essential needs, while avoiding government channels, with support that goes beyond humanitarian aid by focusing on basic services and livelihoods assistance. On 12 October 2021, the President of the European Commission announced that the Commission was working to make it possible to use funds previously intended for Afghanistan to support Afghan people in urgent need in the new context."}, {"bbox": [157, 466, 1074, 612], "category": "Text", "text": "EU operational engagement is guided by the Foreign Affairs Council benchmarks of September 2021, notably the promotion, protection and respect for all human rights and in particular the full enjoyment of rights of women and girls, as well as children and persons belonging to minorities, and respect of the rule of law and freedom of speech and of the media, with specific attention to human rights defenders."}, {"bbox": [157, 624, 1074, 827], "category": "Text", "text": "On 11 October 2021, during an informal videoconference of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Development called by HRVP Borrell, the EU and its Member States agreed on the need to assist the population directly by supporting essential services, avoiding government channels, and going beyond humanitarian aid to focus on direct basic needs and livelihoods assistance. Funds should be channelled through international organisations and NGOs and the benchmarks agreed in the Council conclusions of 21 September 2021 should be respected."}, {"bbox": [157, 839, 1074, 1014], "category": "Text", "text": "More specifically, principles for delivery of aid will be taken into account including: 1) women, girls and persons belonging to minorities should be able to access services in a non-discriminatory fashion; 2) support can only be given through multilateral organisations or NGOs, not through the Taliban both in Kabul and at the local level, either directly or through other actors; and 3) the Taliban should not be involved in the hiring, recruitment policy, implementation or management of support mechanisms."}, {"bbox": [157, 1024, 1074, 1084], "category": "Text", "text": "Risks for the implementation of EU aid in this fragile context are constantly reviewed by the EU Delegation, which has since January 2022 established a minimal presence in Kabul."}, {"bbox": [157, 1095, 1074, 1328], "category": "Text", "text": "The general objective of the Action is to improve the socio-economic situation of the population of Afghanistan. The Specific Objectives are to: (i) improve the uptake of basic services of the Afghan population with a particular focus on women, girls and vulnerable groups in complementarity with humanitarian relief efforts (around 60% of the total amount of the Action); (ii) enhance the use of opportunities for the improvement of the population's livelihoods, especially women, girls and vulnerable groups (around 35% of the Action); and (iii) improve the enabling environment for support to basic services and protection of livelihoods (up to 5% of the Action)."}, {"bbox": [157, 1339, 1074, 1572], "category": "Text", "text": "The needs assessments prepared by the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the United Nation's Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF) have been taken into account in the preparation of this Action Document, following a reality check of some of the findings and assumptions, as well as a number of internal assessments carried out by the EU and/or its Member States. By providing support to basic needs such as essential services and livelihoods, this Action complements the EU's lifesaving assistance provided through its humanitarian aid, and the EU's assistance through stability and resilience activities, thereby applying the triple nexus approach."}, {"bbox": [1069, 1641, 1083, 1663], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "4"}]