US State Dept Reiterates No Aid Funds Going to ‘Taliban’

In response to a question about whether US financial aid to Afghanistan might have fallen into the wrong hands, Matthew Miller stated “we do not provide financial aid to the Taliban.”

“When it comes to US funding of the Taliban, no, we flatly do not fund the Taliban. Made that clear on a number of occasions,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, some economic experts have said that US financial and humanitarian aid is spent by aid organizations within the country.

Shakir Yaqoobi, an economic expert, told TOLOnews: “Even if there is indirect involvement, efforts should be made to manage this aid and establish a systematic framework that benefits Afghanistan’s economy.”

Abdal Nasir Rashtia, an economic expert, said: “Unfortunately, all the aid provided by the international community, the United States, and other countries is distributed through relief organizations. About forty percent of this aid is unfortunately wasted by the organizations themselves, leaving only a small portion for the Afghan people.”

At the same time, the Ministry of Economy has also stated that all humanitarian aid to Afghanistan is provided to citizens without interference from the Islamic Emirate.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, told TOLOnews: “Since the beginning of humanitarian aid from charity organizations and world countries until now, this aid has been directly provided by various UN agencies without interference from the Emirate’s authorities. We strive to provide the necessary facilities for donor countries and charitable organizations to alleviate economic stagnation and poverty.”

In the early days of the current solar year, some US senators proposed halting Washington’s financial aid to Afghanistan through the United Nations, stating that until it is ensured that humanitarian aid is not used to strengthen the Islamic Emirate, the UN should stop its aid to Afghanistan.