EU pledges $535M in aid to help war-torn Afghanistan rebuild

Nov. 28 (UPI) -- After 17 years of constant war, Afghanistan will receive $535 million in aid from the European Union, the alliance announced.

The financial aid package will help pay for state building and public sector reforms, health, justice, elections and migration and displacement challenges.

"The EU stands side-by-side with Afghanistan and its people to build a stronger future for the country," Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica. "The EU's new assistance package of [$525 million} will contribute towards addressing peace and security challenges and set up the foundations for a more stable and economically sustainable society."

The EU made the announcement Tuesday at a two-day summit in Geneva hosted by the United Nations to help the Afghan government rebuild and reform after years of conflict.

This comes as UNICEF's chief of communication in Afghanistan Alison Parker warned that the situation for children is "dire" with widespread acute malnutrition. The war also takes a toll, killing or maiming 5,000 children in the first three quarters of 2018.

"The situation is exacerbated by what has been described as the worst drought in decades with some two million people affected, over half of whom are children," Parker said.

The Trump administration is having direct talks with the Taliban.

An improvised explosive device killed three U.S. service members Tuesday and injured four more.