The EU on Tuesday said it was considering more support for Afghanistan's neighbours as a senior official warned that fighting could force half a million people to flee abroad.
"The first priority is to continue to provide the best possible support according to the means available to those countries that are the most affected," a senior EU official said.
"So it's important to continue strengthening direct support to those countries and the different types of organisations, non-government organisations or international organisations that are present in the field and providing assistance to displaced persons and refugees."
The 27-nation bloc is nervously watching as the Taliban sweeps across the conflict-racked country while foreign troops depart.
Brussels fears the violence could lead to a repeat of the 2015 crisis in which about a million migrants, many from Syria, arrived in the EU and caused major political problems.
The UN says that so far this year there have been no "large-scale displacements" across Afghanistan's borders, despite the Taliban's advance.
And the EU official said that the number of arrivals from Afghanistan since the start of January was about 4,000, 25 per cent lower than in 2020.
But another official from the bloc said the UN estimated that 500,000 people could be pushed to leave Afghanistan for neighbouring Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan as the situation deteriorated.
The UN says that Iran and Pakistan already host "more than two million registered Afghan refugees in total" after decades of conflict in the country.
While the bloc hopes to avert a massive influx of people, an official said that Brussels was working to help resettle Afghans who worked for the EU.
"We are in intense co-operation with all our member states to make sure that our local agents and their dependents may either if they wish go to a European Union member state or go to another state in the region," the official said.
The EU's ambassador to Kabul is still in Afghanistan despite the deteriorating security situation and officials insist the bloc aims to maintain its diplomatic presence.
Officials said that nine member states still have functioning embassies in the country.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
