[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 260], "category": "Text", "text": "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 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": [97, 270, 1134, 485], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is further guided by the Commission's objectives and priorities, as well as Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on Afghanistan of 21 September 2021¹ and 20 March 2023². Principles for delivery of aid will be followed 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, NGOs or the private sector. No funds can be channelled through the Taliban de facto authorities both in Kabul and at the local level, either directly or through other actors; 3) the Taliban de facto authorities should not be involved in the hiring, recruitment policy, implementation or management of support mechanisms; and 4) A do-no-harm and conflict sensitive approach will be ensured."}, {"bbox": [97, 496, 1134, 736], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action adopts a human rights-based and principled “for-women-by-women” approach putting notably women and girls at the center of its interventions, as well as other vulnerable groups. It will address challenges of forced displacement and irregular migration in the context of an increased risk of outward migration. In alignment with the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG)'s *Framework for International Partner Support in Afghanistan* (2023-2025), the Action aims to address basic needs and support livelihoods of the people of Afghanistan through (i) improved uptake of basic services, and (ii) enhanced resilient livelihoods and economic opportunities. Interventions will build on gains and lessons learnt from preceding actions, and focus on social and economic areas in which women can still contribute in a meaningful way, while ensuring sufficient flexibility to seize any arising opportunities for attaining the objectives of the Action."}, {"bbox": [97, 741, 1134, 822], "category": "Text", "text": "Given Afghanistan's high vulnerability to climate change³, its exposure to increasingly frequent extreme weather events and the threats from water scarcity to livelihoods and displacement, climate change adaptation and climate resilience will be factored in through resilient livelihoods support."}, {"bbox": [97, 833, 1134, 1020], "category": "Text", "text": "Overall, activities under the Action will alleviate multidimensional poverty in support to SDG 1 - No Poverty. More specifically, the Action will contribute to SDG 2 - Zero Hunger by addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, SDG 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing by strengthening health care services, SDG 4 - Quality Education by supporting public schools and community-based education, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth by enhancing resilient livelihoods and economic opportunities, and SDG 13 - Climate Action. Transversally, any projects funded under this Action will seek Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) and to the extent possible, Gender Equality (SDG 5)."}, {"bbox": [97, 1031, 1134, 1138], "category": "Text", "text": "Thus far, a Team Europe approach has been implemented in terms of strategic concertation and coordination with Member States. 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 Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus approach in practice."}, {"bbox": [97, 1149, 1134, 1230], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action will also contribute to the Regional Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on the Afghan displacement situation proposed under the Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme for Asia and the Pacific (2021-2027), which gathers so far 12 EU Member States and the Union."}, {"bbox": [87, 1257, 505, 1287], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 1.3 Zone benefitting from the Action"}, {"bbox": [87, 1302, 952, 1329], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action shall be carried out in Afghanistan, which is included in the list of ODA recipients."}, {"bbox": [87, 1356, 322, 1388], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [87, 1422, 233, 1449], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [97, 1468, 1134, 1522], "category": "Text", "text": "More than two years since the collapse of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, the country continues to face enormous challenges hindering economic recovery and social welfare,"}, {"bbox": [87, 1572, 730, 1598], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹ Council Conclusions on Afghanistan from 21 September 2023 (11713/2/21)"}, {"bbox": [87, 1598, 669, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² Council Conclusions on Afghanistan from 20 March 2023 (7264/23)"}, {"bbox": [87, 1622, 883, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ Afghanistan ranks 179/185 on the ND-GAIN index for countries vulnerable to climate change."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1143, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 33"}]