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SIGAR finds US aid vetting failures may have benefited militants in Afghanistan
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs could not provide enough documentation to prove their adherence, Reuters reported.
Two State Department bureaus could not prove compliance with internal policies for vetting aid groups in Afghanistan that received $293 million in funds, Washington’s Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said Wednesday.
“It is critical that State knows who is actually benefiting from this assistance in order to prevent the aid from being diverted to the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) or other sanctioned parties,” said the latest SIGAR report.
According to the report, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has tried to obtain US aid funds “through several means, including the establishment of humanitarian organizations,” underscoring the need for the department to “fully and consistently assess the risks posed by its implementing partners.”
SIGAR said three of five State Department bureaus were found in compliance with department regulations requiring vetting of aid fund recipients.
But the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs could not provide enough documentation to prove their adherence, Reuters reported.
“State could not demonstrate compliance with its partner vetting requirements on awards that disbursed at least $293 million in Afghanistan,” the report stated.
For that reason, “there is an increased risk that terrorists and terrorist-affiliated individuals and entities may have illegally benefitted,” it said.
The department agreed with the report’s conclusions and would “work to ensure compliance” with vetting requirements, it said.
The US remains the largest aid donor to Afghanistan nearly three years after the IEA regained power.
Since the US withdrawal was completed on Aug. 30, 2021, Washington has provided more than $17.9 billion in assistance to Afghanistan.
The Islamic Emirate rejects claims of misuse of aid from the international community, including the United States of America.
The Ministry of Economy has also rejected the misuse of humanitarian aid and says that the aid is provided to deserving and needy people in a transparent and trustworthy manner.
The United States remains the largest donor to Afghanistan.
Previously SIGAR reported that during the last three years, US aid implementation partners in Afghanistan have paid at least $10.9 million in taxes and money for water and electricity to the current Afghan government.
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Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says it is reviewing reports that the Trump administration plans to deport Afghans through Pakistan, adding that it is consulting relevant stakeholders to find a mutually acceptable way forward.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks at a press conference on Friday, saying Islamabad remained committed to close coordination with its allies and partners.
“We will continue to act in accordance with our international obligations and established protocols,” Khan said.
He added that the matter was under consideration and that all relevant aspects were being carefully examined in consultation with concerned stakeholders.
Pakistan-based Bank Alfalah has completed its exit from Afghanistan after 20 years of operations, transferring its local banking business to Ghaznfar Bank, the lender said in a notice to shareholders on Friday.
The bank said the transaction was completed on November 5 after the signing of final agreements, approval from the State Bank of Pakistan and Da Afghanistan Bank, and fulfilment of other required conditions.
The deal allows Bank Alfalah to sell and transfer its operations in Afghanistan to Ghaznfar Bank, following approval from the regulatory authorities in both countries.
“Bank Alfalah has accordingly ceased its banking operations in Afghanistan and will complete the closure of its Afghanistan branches in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements,” the notice said.
Bank Alfalah began operating in Kabul in 2005, offering both conventional and Islamic banking services.
Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), has said that Daesh uses social media platforms, including Telegram and TikTok, to communicate, secure financial resources and promote ideological diversion.
Wasiq made the remarks at the First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), based on its beliefs and convictions, is at the forefront of the fight against Daesh. However, he added that Afghanistan faces serious constraints in dismantling the technical capabilities of the group.
According to Wasiq, technology companies and operators of Telegram and TikTok do not cooperate with Afghanistan in efforts to counter Daesh activities, a situation he said allows the group greater room to operate around the world.
The intelligence chief added that Daesh causes significant civilian casualties each year through its activities in different countries.
The First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues was held in Samarkand on November 5 and 6. Representatives from 24 countries and five international organisations attended the event to discuss counterterrorism, extremism and emerging security threats.
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