World Bank: We Provided $1.7 Billion in Aid to Afghanistan Over Three Years

Bayan News – A recently published World Bank report reveals that since August 15, 2021, the bank has provided $1.7 billion in aid to various sectors in Afghanistan.

According to the report, all the funds were disbursed through international organizations, ensuring they remained beyond the reach of the Taliban, and were directed to support the Afghan people.

The World Bank emphasized that this aid was managed outside Taliban control and focused on providing services for women and girls.

The report mentions that in December 2021, $280 million was transferred from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP).

This amount was used to fill gaps in humanitarian aid to address urgent health and food needs during the harsh and critical winter months.

The report also stated that in February 2024, the World Bank’s board approved financial assistance from the International Development Association (IDA) to complement the ARTF and continue supporting the Afghan people through essential services.

The World Bank clarified that IDA funds would be directly channeled to UN agencies and other international organizations, remaining outside the control of the Taliban.

Additionally, the report noted that the bank’s board approved the resumption of the CASA-1000 project within Afghanistan, with payment mechanisms designed to ensure Taliban control is avoided.

The report also mentioned financial support for projects focused on Afghanistan’s community stabilization and livelihoods, emergency health response, food security, capacity building for NGOs and civil society organizations, education emergency response, water relief, and empowerment projects for micro-loans and enterprises for growth and stability.

The World Bank has also invested in the International Bank of Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Microfinance Bank, the women’s market at Ghazanfar Bank, and provided advisory support to the financial system of “Anar Sarj Afghanistan.”

Despite the challenges, the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to continuing support for the Afghan people.

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