An Afghanistan soldier is pictured during weapon training in 2020  Shutterstock

An Afghanistan soldier is pictured during weapon training in 2020  Shutterstock

Luxembourg has invested close to €100m in defence and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan over the past 20 years. Because of the volatile situation, it will review its humanitarian aid strategy.

Defence makes up just over half of the sum spent, at €51.9m, a in response to a parliamentary question explained. Another €47.5m were distributed with sustainable development partners from 2001 to 2020.

At the 2018 Nato Summit, Luxembourg announced it planned to extend support of the Afghan Army Trust Fund until 2024, contributing €4m per year. The contribution for 2021 has not yet been paid, the ministers said, adding that they expected the trust fund would be blocked by Nato and payments to be suspended.

Luxembourg had earmarked €2.35m in humanitarian aid for 2021, supporting partners including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It recently began working with the Food and Agriculture Organization in the field of food security.

The fear and upheaval caused by the Taliban coup and withdrawal of US troops will force Luxembourg to reassess its aid strategy.

The ministers wrote: “Due to the current situation, all activities will be taken into consideration and only those projects with a strong humanitarian focus will continue to be supported in future if the political and security situation allows then.”