AHTF, ICRC Secure $1M Grant from Saudi Fund to Boost Agriculture & Food Security in Afghanistan

The US$ 1 million grant provided by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) under AHTF envisages to contribute to enhancing the agricultural sector and tackling food insecurity in Afghanistan.

AHTF is managed by the Islamic Development Bank and serves as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance, address basic needs, and promote self-reliance and development in Afghanistan. It was launched following a collective decision by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at its 17th Extraordinary Session held on 19 December 2021 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The project will be implemented by the ICRC in partnership with the Afghan Red Crescent Society – ARCS. It prioritizes “empowering Afghan smallholder farmers to improve agricultural practices and build resilience to food insecurity”.

The agricultural sector in Afghanistan is a vital component of the country’s economy which is reeling under the pressure of many challenges. Nearly 80% of the country's population relies on agriculture offering hope to millions of Afghan farmers and rural communities for their livelihood.

The initiative seeks to improve agricultural livelihoods and increase income opportunities for farmers through cash-for-work schemes aimed at the rehabilitation of infrastructure that is essential for crop cultivation and land protection.

Additionally, it aims to enhance the agricultural knowledge and capabilities of farmers through support grants and capacity building. 

Katharina Ritz, Head of Delegation for the ICRC in Afghanistan, has emphasized the impact of this initiative, stating: "By empowering local farmers, we are not only improving immediate food supplies but also fostering long-term resilience and stability."

Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, Director, IsDB Group Regional Hub Turkiye, stated, "Our joint efforts with the ICRC through AHTF is a testament to the power of partnership in tackling critical humanitarian challenges. I thank the Saudi Fund for Development for its generous contribution which will enable thousands of Afghan families to achieve greater food security and economic resilience."

The initiative is anticipated to support over 10,000 individuals, providing financial support to 761 farming households and offering specialized training in planting practices, pest management, and water management for irrigation to 63 farmers in the east, north and northeast of the country. It will also create job opportunities for more than 500 people to engage in sustainable cash-for-work projects focusing on access to irrigation, land protection and water management.

IsDB and ICRC share a history of successful humanitarian cooperation in Afghanistan. In 2022, IsDB supported an ICRC health program in in the country through its Tadamon Civil Society Organization (CSO) Pandemic Response Accelerator Program. 

The one-year collaboration provided medicines and medical equipment to more than 40 hospitals and healthcare centers across Afghanistan benefitting more than 1.7 million people.