US provides $17 billion to Afghanistan post-withdrawal: SIGAR

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) of the United States says that following the collapse of the previous government in Afghanistan, the United States has allocated $17.19 billion to Afghanistan and refugees.

According to its latest report, released on Thursday, SIGAR added that this assistance includes $2.80 billion in humanitarian and development aid and a $3.5 billion package to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund in Switzerland.

According to this report, the United States has allocated $5.36 billion for humanitarian aid, including natural and man-made disasters outside the country, to support Afghan refugees under the “Allies Reception” program until September 30, 2023.

Additionally, the US has transferred $3.5 billion, half of Afghanistan’s frozen central bank reserves in a US bank, to the fund in Switzerland.

According to SIGAR, the US remains the largest contributor to Afghanistan.

Amid a dire humanitarian crisis since the US withdrawal and the Taliban assuming control, this assistance comes as a crucial lifeline for Afghanistan. UN agencies report that over two-thirds of the population grapples with poverty, with children and women facing the brunt of the hardships, lacking access to basic necessities like food and shelter.