ARTF: Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund administered by the World Bank (WB)


The Taliban takeover in August 2021 changed the political landscape and the socio-economic and humanitarian  situation  has  been  deteriorating. Being  a  driver of the former governments’ reform agenda, the ARTF shifted to an off-budget approach in support of over 70 percent of the Afghans with basic services (e.g. health, food security). As ARTF’s donor, Switzerland takes part in strategic decision making and supports the WB in its crucial aid coordination role in nowadays Afghanistan. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Afghanistan
Agriculture & food security
Employment & economic development
Health
Household food security
Rural development
Medical services
01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028
CHF  10’000’000
Background The Afghan economy has shrunk by 25 percent in comparison to the situation before the Taliban takeover in August 2021.  The economic outlook remains uncertain. A dysfunctional  financial  sector,  an  unclear legal system and low demand constrain the private sectors’ recovery.  Without buffers, the economy remains vulnerable to external shocks,  like natural disasters or the absorption of returnees. The economy is heavily reliant on humanitarian aid  and remittances and it faces challenges exacerbated by the exclusion of women from many activities. The exclusion of women and girls  from most  facets of life,  including education, has significantly increased their protection risks and worsened  an  already deeply  challenging  humanitarian  situation. With no engines of growth and limited policy space, the country  lacks drivers for poverty reduction. Overall, poverty and vulnerability remain high. According to the United Nations (UN), in 2024, an estimated 23.7 million people – more than half of Afghanistan’s population of approx. 43 million – require humanitarian assistance. 
Objectives The ARTF  aims  to  deliver  basic  services  in  health, education,  water,  social  inclusion  and  to  improve economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods through a sustainable and principled approach ensuring servic  es for women and girls.  
Target groups Afghan people all over the country with a strong focus on women and marginalized groups (no direct support to the Taliban government). 
Medium-term outcomes

Sustained  essential  services:  More  people  in Afghanistan, particularly  the most marginalized, can equitably  access  essential  services  that  meet minimum quality standards 

Economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods: More people in Afghanistan, notably women and vulnerable groups, will benefit from an increasingly inclusive economy with greater equality of economic opportunities,  jobs,  more  resilient  livelihoods, strengthened food value chains and improved natural resources management 

Results

Expected results:   Maternal and child mortality reduced; access to basic education maintained and learning conditions  improved; water supply services sustained; local NGOs and  institutions supported and enhanced; agriculture production more sustainable;  houshold income  improved; market for local companies finance improved and  womens economic empowerment enhanced. 


Results from previous phases:   Since its shift in approach, the ARTF has reached  more  than 70 percent of  Afghan people by providing grants  to UN agencies and  international  non-governmental organizations  (INGOs):  7.5  million people benefitted  from  Health  Emergency Response;  4.5 mio. people benefitted  from Emergency Food Security Project; 672’000 households received jobs under the Community  Resilience Project; 1.8 million women and girls were reached through Education Emergency Response (e.g. over 30’000 banned secondary-aged  girls receiving education opportunities); 4’760 staff in 400 Non Governmental Organisations  (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were trained. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International Financial Institution (IFI)
  • Other WB


Coordination with other projects and actors STFA  (Special  Trust  Fund  for Afghanistan),  UN  agencies,  international  and  local NGOs (as implementing partner and beyond, e.g. joint risk assessments) 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    10’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   23’000’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   33’000’000