US special envoy notes a $2 billion shortfall in aid to Afghanistan this year

The US special representative for Afghanistan says this year, foreign aid to Afghanistan is considerably less – a “shortfall” of $2 billion. 

In an interview with BBC, Thomas West said: “Our judgment is that in this year, 2023, we face a roughly $2 billion hole, a shortfall in the assistance that needs to be delivered in order to meet the most urgent needs of Afghans, in order to keep the currency stable, in order to help to keep the economy relatively liquid.”

“Now that assistance, that $2 billion, it doesn’t just come from the United States.  It would need to come from some of our closest like-minded partners as well.  And collectively I think there is a deep concern that that assistance cannot and should not be delivered absent a significant change in the Taliban’s conduct,” he said.

West’s comments come amid talks between the IEA and the US in Doha.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the IEA’s spokesman, meanwhile said that the West, especially the US, should not politicize the humanitarian crisis and the aid needed by millions of people in the country.

“Yes, we also feel that there are economic problems all over the world. Some of the problems that have arisen in the world, but the people of Afghanistan need cooperation. The aid given to the people of Afghanistan should be done based on human spirit. And it should not be related to political issues, secondly, we are also trying to revive our resources inside and will not need the help of the world forever,” said Mujahid.

Meanwhile, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized before the start of the talks with the American delegation in Doha that applying pressure and sanctions on the Islamic Emirate will not work and that Washington should rather engage with the IEA in the form of dialogue.