Officials begin review of US civilian assistance to Afghanistan

KABUL (TOLO News): Senior Afghan and US officials including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and US State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Alice Wells on Tuesday attended the first meeting of the joint review of US government civilian assistance to Afghanistan.

The US State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and Acting Minister of Finance Qayoumi launched the review.

In-depth sectoral reviews will be conducted at the end of May, the US Embassy in Kabul said in a joint statement with the Finance Ministry on Tuesday.

The joint review, requested by President Ashraf Ghani and supported by the United States, focuses on strategic results, alignment with National Unity Government development priorities, and identification of challenges and successes.

The review will support greater prioritization of US civilian assistance in Afghanistan, strengthened Afghan institutions, and Afghan self-reliance, the statement said.

The Governments of the United States and Afghanistan agree that US civilian assistance should continue to support the Afghan people and advance Afghan self-reliance.

The United States, in coordination with the Government of Afghanistan, provides civilian assistance across a range of sectors including health, education, economic growth, energy, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, and cultural heritage preservation.

“The United States and Afghanistan look forward to continuing our close partnership and working together to promote the journey to Afghan self-reliance,” the statement concluded.