US pledges additional $327m in aid to Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States has pledged an additional $327 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “This assistance … will continue to support the scaled-up humanitarian response in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries through international humanitarian organisations.”
In a statement from the State Department, Blinken said the funding included nearly $119 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Another $208 million would be provided through the US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
This brings the total US humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries to more than $1.1 billion since the Taliban takeover one year ago. “Our commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring. We provide assistance to people in need, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, or profession,” the statement said. The US also hailed contributions from other donors toward the international response and urged others to generously support Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs.