The engagement of the Italian Development Cooperation in Afghanistan has always been a priority in the national foreign policy. Before the establishment of the de facto Taliban government, from 2002 to 2021, Italy supported the country development through a total of 1.25 billion euros in grants and aid credits. The geographical focus of Italian interventions during that period was primarily in the provinces of Herat and Kabul, later expanding to the Bamiyan area and other regions with multi-sectoral allocations.
After August 15, 2021, Italy announced an allocation of 150 million euros in aid for Afghanistan and for hosting Afghan refugees in neighboring countries. This funding was directed to various UN agencies (including UNOCHA, UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNHAS, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA) and other international organizations (such as the ICRC and IFRC), which also operated through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In March 2022, Italy reaffirmed its commitment with an additional 50 million euros.
Afghanistan is currently facing a dramatic humanitarian crisis: according to UN OCHA data, 48% of the Afghan population lives below the poverty line, meaning nearly 23 million people in need of assistance. The dire socioeconomic situation is further exacerbated by the forced return of Afghan displaced from Iran and Pakistan (1.4 million in 2024, with over 2 million estimated in 2025). For these reasons, Afghanistan has become the fourth largest recipient of emergency funds.
The Italian support to the Afghan population is part of a strategic approach to the country. The political dimension—participation in the Doha Process as a platform for multilateral dialogue with the de facto authorities—is complemented by a strong commitment to addressing basic human needs, which is practically facilitated through the work of UN agencies and some NGOs that continue to operate in Afghanistan. In 2024, Italy allocated a package of interventions for a total 14.5 million euros, and in 2025 it renewed its commitment through emergency assistance, both bilateral and multilateral, for 16.5 million euros. Following to the earthquake in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar (August 31, 2025), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation mobilized additional resources for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and also issued an urgent funding call in response to the earthquake’s effects.
Currently, in the absence of direct communication with the de facto government, the modalities of Italian interventions are coordinated with multilateral bodies (such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union) and other donor Countries, which have periodically met since 2022 in the framework of the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG). In this context, Italy particularly focuses on the primary needs of the population (health, food security, education), aiming to improve the accessibility, inclusiveness, and quality of basic services. The situation of women and girls is also a priority.
Italy also contributes to the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund (ARTF), the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), which are multilateral initiatives aimed at managing international aid effectively. Additionally, Italy participates in the local coordination group of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR). In 2025, Italy also joined the regional Team Europe Initiative (TEI) regarding the situation of Afghan displaced people.
The programming of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan is jointly developed with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and aligns with the provisions of Law 125/2014. For more details on single funded projects, please visit the AICS Islamabad webpage at www.islamabad.aics.gov.it, responsible also for Afghanistan since 2021.