Kabul, Afghanistan – 10 March 2025 – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) successfully concluded an official mission to Afghanistan under the "Advancing Wheat Cultivation for Sustainable Development in Central Afghanistan" project. During the mission, IOFS conducted bilateral meetings focused on enhancing agricultural livelihoods, reinforcing cooperation, and identifying sustainable solutions to strengthen food security. Additionally, the mission culminated in the organization's annual Ramadan Iftar event, demonstrating solidarity and humanitarian support by hosting Afghan orphans.
As part of bilateral meetings, the IOFS delegation held an insightful meeting with Mr. René Taus Hansen, Head of Sector for Economics and Livelihoods at the European Commission in Kabul, to explore synergies and cooperation opportunities. Mr. Hansen shared valuable updates on the EU’s current activities in Afghanistan, noting the significant local interest generated by recent EU calls for economic livelihood projects. Mr. Hansen commended IOFS’s recent achievements in Afghanistan and expressed strong interest in aligning future efforts, particularly in horticulture projects including saffron production and livestock initiatives with a special emphasis on veterinary services.
Further emphasizing international partnership, the IOFS delegation conducted a courtesy visit to Ambassador Cenk Ünal, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Kabul. Ambassador Ünal reaffirmed Türkiye’s ongoing commitment and support for Afghanistan through its development agency, TIKA. He welcomed IOFS's agricultural development initiatives, specifically the recent project launch in Logar Province, and expressed enthusiasm about scaling these efforts to other regions across Afghanistan.
On the final day of the visit, IOFS hosted its annual Ramadan Iftar, fostering unity and compassion with an event attended by diplomatic representatives from the Embassies of Kazakhstan and Türkiye, officials from the OIC Kabul Office, representatives from TIKA, and senior officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock.
The event was particularly meaningful with the participation of 70 orphans from the Ehsas Welfare & Social Services Organization, a prominent Afghan charity that provides critical support to vulnerable children affected by decades of conflict and hardship. The gathering began with a moving Quran recitation followed by heartwarming performances from the children, creating an atmosphere of hope and togetherness.
In his remarks, Abdul Fatah Jawad, President of the Ehsas Welfare & Social Services Organization, warmly thanked IOFS for its generosity and steadfast commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. He underscored the critical importance of continued international engagement and assistance to create meaningful livelihood opportunities, enhance educational access, and substantially improve living conditions for Afghanistan’s disadvantaged youth. Mr. Jawad also highlighted the transformative impact such initiatives have on empowering young people, building community resilience, and fostering sustainable socio-economic development in the region.
This mission to Afghanistan reaffirms IOFS’s unwavering commitment to food security, sustainable agricultural development, and international partnership, advancing the shared goal of fostering resilience and stability in Afghanistan.
