The State of Israel has for the first time provided official assistance to refugees from Afghanistan who fled Taliban terror. The Foreign Ministry has decided to transfer half-a-million dollars to Afghan refugees who are currently in Tajikistan, where they fled from Afghanistan. In the past, it has been non-governmental Israeli organizations such as IsraAID that have helped refugees leave Afghanistan, but this is the first time that the State of Israel has provided official assistance to these people.

The Israeli contribution will be made to Afghan refugees through the UN Refugee Agency – UNHCR. The decision to transfer such a significant amount was approved by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

The Israeli donation is intended for two purposes:

1. To integrate into the organization’s general relief efforts in a range of areas:
   • Food security;
   • Health – construction of health facilities/health services outlets; vaccination campaigns;
   • Security and defense – training and development capabilities for absorption and registering of refugees, monitoring of borders, locating and reuniting families, and preventing abuse of minors and other vulnerable elements;
   • Shelter – site development; tent installation; installing a basic community infrastructure;
   • Water and sanitation;
   • Education – evaluation of the needs for rapid education; providing educational services and learning materials; deploying and training teachers; launching alternative education and skills training methods;
   • Training for occupational independence – assessing skills for employment and the needs of the labor market of host communities; training for vocational skills; raising awareness about local employment opportunities and independent work; supplying equipment and infrastructure to small businesses of refugees in the private services sector; partnership with local civil society organizations.
2. Support efforts to facilitate refugees’ access to local medical services, in this case in Tajikistan.

Alon Ushpiz, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“The State of Israel is proud to be part of an international effort to help refugees fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan. This cooperation with the UN Refugee Organization, much like the Foreign Ministry’s aid to countries around the world in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, is at the core of the values of the State of Israel as a member of the international community.”