This amount will serve in particular to finance programs for education, agriculture and health. It will have to circumvent the Taliban power through the United Nations agencies and international aid organizations.
Le Monde with AFP
The World Bank approved, Tuesday, March 1, a humanitarian aid of more than $ 1 billion (900 million euros) to support the Afghan people, via the reallocation of financing from the special fund for the reconstruction of Afghanistan (ARTF).
This financial assistance will be “in the form of subsidies” granted to United Nations agencies and international NGOs, said Washington’s institution in a statement. And she will remain out of control of the Taliban Interim Administration, “she assured. It follows the one announced on December 10 worth of $ 280 million. The World Bank then indicated that it was a first step. The institution of Washington had to suspend at the end of August his aid in Kabul after the return to power of the Taliban.
The ARTF is a multi-donor trust fund that coordinates international aid to improve the lives of millions of Afghans. The World Bank administers the ARTF on behalf of donor partners. Up to the Taliban power outlet, the ARTF was the largest source of funding for Afghanistan’s development, funding up to 30% of the government’s budget.
“Protect Afghans. vulnerable “
Failing to pay money directly to the Taliban regime that is not recognized by the international community and in the face of the humanitarian and economic crisis in the country, the World Bank has decided to reallocate these funds to organizations like UNICEF.
The Afghan population is faced with food shortages and increasing poverty since taking power by the mid-August Taliban. The objective of the new aid is to “protect vulnerable Afghans”, and to contribute “to preserve essential economic and social services”, commented on the World Bank.
As a first step, ARTF donors will devote some $ 600 million to four projects to “meet urgent needs in the education, health and agriculture sectors”, in emphasizing aid dedicated to girls and women. Finalization of project design and financing should intervene “in the coming weeks”.
“These $ 600 million will be complemented by additional allocations from ARTF EN 2022 if the conditions permit”, also clarified the World Bank. It notes that it is a question of having a “flexible” approach given the moving situation on the ground.
In December, the 280 million had been allocated to UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP). The World Bank had argued that these two United Nations agencies, well established in Afghanistan, had logistical capacities in the field to use the funds. The challenge remains to provide help that is not diverted by the Taliban.