BY SHAHANA NASEER & TARIQUE HAFEEZ

Amidst the international sanctions and humanitarian crisis that followed in August 2021 in Afghanistan, various international players have actively supported the country through humanitarian and economic assistance. The following is a breakdown of the substantial international efforts to provide development aid to Afghanistan amidst the ongoing political and economic challenges. Each country and organization that has played a crucial role in addressing the humanitarian crisis and supporting the Afghan population in various critical sectors is listed below:

U.S.

2021

• S. humanitarian aid for the country and for Afghan refugees in the region has totaled nearly $474 million so far this year.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/us/politics/afghanistan-sanctions-aid-taliban.html

• S. Assistance to Afghanistan. The United States remains the largest donor to programs supporting the Afghan people, disbursing more than $2.8 billion for humanitarian and development assistance since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

https://www.sigar.mil/interactive-reports/sigar-quarterly-report-2024-01-30/#:~:text=U.S.%20Assistance%20to%20Afghanistan,-An%20Afghan%20woman&text=The%20United%20States%20remains%20the%20largest%20donor%20to%20programs%20supporting,Taliban%20takeover%20in%20August%202021.

• More than $1.73 billion of the nearly $2.52 billion appropriated for assistance to Afghanistan since the end of FY 2021 has gone toward humanitarian assistance, representing 69% of the total, and another $404 million, or 16% of the total, went toward development assistance.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2023-10-30qr.pdf

• Amount: $2.8 billion

Purpose: Humanitarian aid

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/what-is-the-state-of-us-assistance-to-afghanistan-and-afghans/:~:text=The%20%242.8%20billion%20in%20appropriations,falling%20precipitously%20since%20October%202021.

• Amount: $12 million

Purpose: Items such as food, health care and shelter that may cost much to be acquired may be given out as humanitarian assistance.

Source:  https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/oct-12-2023-united-states-provides-12-million-additional-funding-respond-devastating-earthquake-afghanistan

    2022

• As of January 2022, the United States, the single largest donor, was providing $782 million in humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2022-01-30qr.pdf

• In 2022, the United States transferred the $3.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets previously frozen in the United States to the Swiss-based Fund for the Afghan People or the Afghan Fund.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2023-10-30qr.pdf

• Amount: $ 291million

Purpose: Humanitarian assistance, food assistance

Source: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/USAID-BHA_Food_Assistance_Sector_Update_FY_2022.pdf

• Amount: $1.1 billion

Purpose: Food security, aid in the form of food, medicine, clothing, and money for shelter among other things.

Source: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/sep-23-2022-united-states-provided-more-11-billion-humanitarian-assistance-afghanistan

    2023

• Two years after U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the United States remains the largest donor to the Afghan people. In that time, the United States has appropriated or otherwise made available $11.11 billion in assistance to Afghanistan and to Afghan refugees. This includes more than $2.52 billion in U.S. appropriations for Afghanistan assistance, largely for humanitarian and development aid, and $3.5 billion transferred to the Afghan Fund that is intended to recapitalize the Afghan central bank and for related purposes. In addition, the United States has obligated more than $5.08 billion in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for the Department of Defense to transport, house, and feed Afghan evacuees.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2023-10-30qr.pdf

• USAID and State have obligated nearly $826 million in humanitarian assistance in FY 2023. More than half of these funds, or $422 million, will be disbursed to the WFP to provide emergency food assistance to millions of Afghans. USAID reported it obligated more than $597 million to the Economic. Support Fund and Global Health Programs account in FY 2022 and FY 2023, supporting 36 active programs. About a third of these funds, or $194 million, support economic growth and public health programs. In FY 2023, USAID obligated $49.2 million for three new education programs, for a total FY 2022 and FY 2023 obligated amount of $97.71 million across six education programs.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2023-10-30qr.pdf

• Amount: $2.1 billion

Purpose:  humanitarian support

Source : https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/afghanistan

• Amount: $12 million

Purpose: Further assistance needed in providing food, health care and relief shelter.

Source: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/oct-12-2023-united-states-provides-12-million-additional-funding-respond-devastating-earthquake-afghanistan

   2024

• In the first two quarters of FY 2024, the U.S. government has committed and obligated more than $233 million to support humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. USAID obligated much of that funding, over $153 million, this quarter. Some $150 million will be disbursed to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) to provide food assistance cash transfers, vouchers, and logistical support. In 2023, USAID supported WFP and helped reach 18.6 million people across Afghanistan with food assistance and nutrition services.

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2024-04-30qr.pdf

• Amount: $2.63 million

Purpose: Humanitarian aid

Source: https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2024-01-30qr-intro-section1.pdf

U.S. Appropriations for Afghanistan Assistance October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2023 _{($ Millions)}

Note: Numbers have been rounded. Details of accounts are presented in Table F.10, U.S. Appropriations Made Available for Afghanistan Reconstruction and Post-Withdrawal Assistance, FY 2002 to September 30, 2023.

Source: SIGAR Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, 10/30/2023, Appendix A.

https://www.sigar.mil/interactive-reports/sigar-quarterly-report-2023-10-30/

Source:     https://www.voanews.com/a/why-don-t-rich-muslim-states-give-more-aid-to-afghanistan-/6808495.html

October 27, 2022.

China

     2021

• Since the Afghan Taliban came to power in August 2021, China has provided Afghanistan with humanitarian assistance worth more than 350 million RMB yuan, including cash, food, medicine, and wintering supplies.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/gjhdq_665435/2675_665437/2676_663356/#:~:text=Since%20the%20Afghan%20Taliban%20came,exchanges%20and%20cooperation%20with%20Afghanistan.

• China has pledged 200 million yuan ($31m, £22m) worth of aid to Afghanistan, including food supplies and coronavirus vaccines.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58496867

• Afghanistan receives second batch of China-donated winter supplies

http://www.news.cn/english/2021-12/14/c_1310370777.htm

        2022

• In March 2022, China also provided 1 billion yuan in unconditional assistance to Afghanistan for humanitarian, educational, medical, and rural construction projects.

http://af.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgxw/202308/t20230830_11135538.htm#:~:text=In%20March%202022%2C%20China%20also,medical%2C%20and%20rural%20construction%20projects.

• China provided humanitarian aid worth 50 million yuan ($7.5 million) to Afghanistan after it was hit by an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-provide-75-mln-humanitarian-aid-afghanistan-foreign-ministry-2022-06-25/

• China pledged 250 million yuan (about 37 million U.S. dollars) worth of aid to Afghanistan, including food supplies and winter clothes.

https://english.news.cn/20220830/08b31fdf4dbc46e6b6986f0007d7dbc1/c.html

• The Chinese government decided to provide 50 million yuan ($ 7.5 million) in emergency humanitarian aid including tents, sheets, convertible beds to quake-hit Afghanistan.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202206/1268966.shtml

• Local authorities in the southwestern Afghan province of Nimroz distributed aid donated by China to 400 destitute Afghan families, which included edible and non-edible items.

https://www.khaama.com/400-afghan-families-receive-china-donated-assistance-89768/

     2023

• On Oct 15, 2023, two Chinese planes carrying the first batch of disaster relief supplies from the Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China arrived at Herat Airport in Afghanistan.

http://en.cidca.gov.cn/2023-10/16/c_931024.htm#:~:text=On%20Oct%2015%2C%202023%2C%20two,at%20Herat%20Airport%20in%20Afghanistan.

• The Chinese government is providing 30 million yuan (4.18 million U.S. dollars) of emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to help the country with earthquake relief work.

https://english.news.cn/20231012/e9cca9b677044c5ea752146a4308a259/c.html

• The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan on October 10 handed over an emergency humanitarian cash assistance of $200,000 to the Afghan Red Crescent Society on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China to relieve the devastation caused by the earthquake in Herat province.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-10-10/Red-Cross-Society-of-China-gives-200-000-in-cash-aid-to-Afghanistan-1nN6tY6lBcc/index.html

       2024

• A Chinese energy company’s investment of $49 million in Afghanistan’s oil production has helped boost the country’s daily crude oil output to more than 1,100 metric tons, but the funding is just one-third of what Beijing originally pledged.

https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-oil-production-jumps-with-49-million-chinese-investment-/7473728.html

• China Allocates 100 Million Yuan Aid to Support Afghan Returnees

https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/china-allocates-100-million-yuan-aid-to-support-afghan-returnees/

• During a meeting with Leonard Zulu, the UNHCR Representative for Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, the Chinese Ambassador to Kabul, stated that his country intends to donate $1.5 million to support internally displaced Afghans.

https://www.khaama.com/china-to-donate-1-5-million-to-support-internally-displaced-afghans/

• Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing has pledged RBM 100 million humanitarian material assistances to Afghanistan.

https://pajhwok.com/2024/01/14/china-provides-rbm100-million-humanitarian-assistances-to-afghanistan/

• Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador in Kabul, announced a donation of 100 million Chinese yuan (around $13.7 million) to address the challenges faced by Afghan returnees from neighboring countries.

https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-189744

• The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on Tuesday received a consignment of Chinese humanitarian aid worth 40 million yuan ($5.5 million).

https://www.ariananews.af/china-hands-over-5-5m-of-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan/

India

2021

• With Afghanistan’s food crisis driving millions to the brink of starvation, India is considering options to transport 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat and medical aid to the Taliban-ruled country.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/afghanistan-in-food-crisis-india-plans-to-send-50000mt-of-wheat/articleshow/87121362.cms

2022

• India to provide Rs 6,292 crore as development assistance to other countries, Rs 200 crore for Afghanistan

https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/india-to-provide-rs-6292-crore-as-development-assistance-to-other-countries-rs-200-crore-for-afghanistan/articleshow/89281173.cms

• India on Tuesday sent the first consignment of 50,000 tons of wheat that it has pledged to give Afghanistan, where more than half the country is grappling with hunger.

https://www.voanews.com/a/india-sends-wheat-to-afghanistan-through-pakistan/6454082.html

• Rs 200 crore has been allocated as aid to Afghanistan in India’s Budget for financial year 2022-23.

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/budget-2022-india-allocates-rs-200-crore-to-taliban-ruled-afghanistan-449499

• India sends fresh consignment of 3,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-sends-fresh-consignment-of-3000-tonnes-of-wheat-to-afghanistan/articleshow/92461706.cms

• India supplied the seventh batch of medical assistance to Afghanistan on Thursday consisting of 6 tons of essential medicines as a part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-sends-6-tons-of-medical-assistance-to-afghanistan-after-earthquake-3116973

• In the past one and a half year, the Government of India has donated a 50,000 metric tons of wheat grains to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan. This donation has enabled WFP to support more than one million people this year, and 4.7 million people in 2022.

https://www.wfp.org/news/indias-generous-wheat-contribution-supports-nearly-five-million-afghans-dire-need-assistance

2023

• In response to the 2023 Herat earthquake, India has emerged as a significant contributor to the relief efforts in Afghanistan. Amidst a varied global response, India’s actions, including the dispatch of three batches of medical supplies and a pledge of 50,000 tons of wheat, underscore its commitment to humanitarian aid. This aid has been channeled both bilaterally and through international organizations like WHO and WFP.

https://www.khaama.com/indias-steadfast-aid-a-beacon-of-hope-in-aftermath-of-the-2023-herat-earthquake/

• Taliban welcomed the Indian announcement for Afghanistan in the Union Budget 2023-24, which was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. New Delhi announced a development assistance of Rs 200 crore ($24.3 million) for the country in the budget, which was the same amount announced in last year’s budget as well.

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-welcome-indias-announcement-for-afghanistan-in-budget-2023-24-558193

• The Indian government has announced 1,000 new scholarships for Afghan students for the 2023-24 academic year.

https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/india-steps-up-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan-with-1000-new-scholarships-amid-chinese-inroads-152506.html

• India sends 47,500 MT of wheat and 200 tonnes of medical aid to Afghanistan

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-sends-47500-mt-of-wheat-and-200-tonnes-of-medical-aid-to-afghanistan-626310

• India sends 47,500 MT of wheat and 200 tonnes of medical aid to Afghanistan

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-sends-47500-mt-of-wheat-and-200-tonnes-of-medical-aid-to-afghanistan-626310

2024

• India helps Afghanistan, sends 40,000 litres of Malathion to combat locust threat

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-aids-afghanistan-40000-liters-of-malathion-sent-to-combat-locust-threat-682553

SAUDI ARABIA

2021

• Saudi Arabia has sent two aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, state media reported, its first such initiative since the Taliban took control of the crisis-stricken country in August.The kingdom’s state-run King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) sent more than 65 tonnes of aid, including 1,647 food baskets.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/17/saudi-arabia-sends-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan

• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) launched a project on Tuesday to dispatch 200 trucks carrying food and winter kits for the people of Afghanistan amid the economic meltdown of their country since the departure of international forces in August.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1990686/pakistan

• Saudi FM announces 1b riyals in aid to Afghans

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2334657/saudi-fm-announces-1b-riyals-in-aid-to-afghans

2022

• Saudi Arabia announced its grant to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) in June 2022, worth more than $30 million with funds allocated for health, education, water, and food security.

https://www.grc.net/single-commentary/125#:~:text=Saudi%20Arabia%20announced%20its%20grant,%2C%20water%2C%20and%20food%20security.

• Saudi Arabia announced a $30 million grant to support the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2100196/saudi-arabia

https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-178418

2023

• The Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) signs seven Agreements to address basic services to support the Afghan People. These Agreements relate to projects covering several basic sectors and needs including health, education, WASH, agriculture, food security, livelihoods, women and youth empowerment, and job creation. The total cost of these seven projects amounts to US$ 24.98 million, out of which the AHTF contributes US$ 16.05 million, while the Implementing Partners contribute US$ 8.93 million.

https://www.isdb.org/news/the-afghanistan-humanitarian-trust-fund-ahtf-signs-seven-agreements-to-address-basic-services-to-support-the-afghan-people

2024

• The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), led by the King of Saudi Arabia, has pledged a $1.1 million donation to enhance the quality of maternal and child health services in the central Bamyan province of Afghanistan

https://kabulnow.com/2024/03/saudi-charity-donates-over-1-million-for-healthcare-in-afghanistan/

Pakistan

2021

• Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced more than $28m medical, food and other humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/23/pakistan-pledges-28-million-in-afghanistan-humanitarian-support

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/23/pakistan-pledges-28-million-in-afghanistan-humanitarian-support

2022

• Pakistan spends $1b for rebuilding of war-hit Afghanistan

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2369273/pakistan-spends-1b-for-rebuilding-of-war-hit-afghanistan#google_vignette

2023

• Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan reached US$ 1,861 million in the fiscal year 2023. Pakistan has historically been an important development partner of Afghanistan, with assistance focusing in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and human resource development.

https://www.mofa.gov.pk/afghanistan#:~:text=Bilateral%20trade%20between%20Pakistan%20and,agriculture%20and%20human%20resource%20development.

United Kingdom

2021

• Amount: £286 million

Purpose: In this case, the humanitarian assistance flows through the United Nations’ implementing partners and other International Non-governmental organizations.

Source: ICAI https://icai.independent.gov.uk/html-version/uk-aid-to-afghanistan-information-note/

• Amount: £286 million (approximately $386 million)

Purpose: Immediate humanitarian aid.

Source: BBC News

2022

• Amount: £246 million

Purpose: Food security, protection interventions, winter preparedness, polio vaccinations (or oral drops) and, landmine clearance

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/afghanistan-government-bond-taliban-ngos-b2341001.html

https://icai.independent.gov.uk/html-version/uk-aid-to-afghanistan-information-note/

• Amount: A total of £100 million in its actual worth, which would be equivalent to $135 million.

Purpose: Continued humanitarian support.

Source: The Guardian 

2023

• Amount: £141. 9 million (Budget for both Afghanistan and Pakistan)

Purpose: Humanitarian assistance, Which places funding to WFP and UN agencies

Source: https://icai.independent.gov.uk/html-version/uk-aid-to-afghanistan-information-note/

• Amount: The latter was restricted to approximately £40 million ($54 million) in the case of Primark’s hedging policy.

Purpose: Food and health services which make up the humanitarian assistance.

Source: BBC News

2024

• Amount: £100 million

Purpose: Operating humanitarian aid and MILS, food security programs and disaster-related social services

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/afghanistan-government-bond-taliban-ngos-b2341001.html

RUSSIA

2021:

• Amount: $1 million

Purpose: Food aid and medical supplies would be the main items that will be affected on the basis of geopolitical factors 38 tons.

Source: https://tass.com/politics/1675021

2022:

• Amount: $2 million

Purpose: Food stuffs and drugs which are considered as humanitarian assistance 33 tons.

Source: https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/humanitarian_cooperation/1926182/

2023:

• Amount: $2 million

Purpose: Continued humanitarian assistance.

Source: https://tass.com/politics/1704823

United Arab Emirates

2021

• Amount: $50 million

Purpose: humanitarian aid

Source: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2021/9/13/13-09-2021-uae-afghanistan

2022

Amount: $60 million

Purpose: Ongoing humanitarian aid and construction of the community infrastructures medical funds and health care around 16 metric tons.

Source: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2022/7/2/02-07-2022-uae-aid

2023

• Amount: $ 2 million

Purpose: humanitarian aid and medical funds and health care and food around 38 metric tons.

Source: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2023/3/31/31-03-2023-uae-aid

By the United Nations Organisation

Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan:

Objectives:     To help address basic human needs across the country– in areas ranging from essential services and basic infrastructure to livelihoods, disaster mitigation and response and advocacy for the promotion of human rights and women’s empowerment

Members:       Germany, Sweden, Qatar, Norway, Luxembourg, Denmark, Türkiye, Netherlands, Czechia, Finlan, Iceland and UNDP (the mediating organisation)

Funding:       

1. US$175.4 million has been allocated to the joint regional programmes
2. In 2022, the annual donations amounted to $176,037,127; in 2023, $27,808,668. The total contributions equalled to $203,845,795. The contributions were collected from various contributing states.

Source: UNDP: Consolidated Financial Report 2023,

https://mptf.undp.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-05/2023_stfa_annual_financial_report_xx.pdf

The United Nations has delivered more than $2.9 billion in cash to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control.

Source: Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/evaluations/SIGAR-24-12-IP.pdf

In January 2022, the UN announced two appeals for Afghan aid totalling more than $8 billion, together constituting a “Transitional Engagement Framework for Afghanistan”

1st Appeal:     For more than $5 billion to assist 22 million people in Afghanistan and 5.7 million Afghans in five neighbouring countries

2nd Appeal:   On January 26, the UN announced an additional appeal for $3.42 billion for sustaining “basic human needs” and “preserving livelihoods and providing social protection, beyond humanitarian assistance,” and $208 million for activities to “preserve social investments and community-level systems.”

https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2022-01-30qr.pdf

The State of Qatar

• January 23, 2024: Qatari Plane Carrying Humanitarian Aid Arrives in Kabul. The shipment contained 22 tons of food and winter supplies. Donor: Qatar Charity

Sources: https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/latest-articles/latest-news/details/1443/06/20/qatari-plane-carrying-humanitarian-aid-arrives-in-kabul

• March 31, 2024: Qatar Announces Additional USD 25 Million Pledge to Support Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan. Donor: Qatar Charity

Source: https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/latest-articles/latest-news/details/1443/08/28/qatar-announces-additional-usd-25-million-pledge-to-support-humanitarian-response-in-afghanistan

• June 29, 2024: The second shipment of emergency aid provided by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) contained 13 tons of urgent medical aid. The aid was followed by the earthquake in Afghanistan.

Source: https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/latest-articles/latest-news/details/1443/11/30/second-shipment-of-qatari-aid-arrives-in-afghanistan-as-part-of-relief-campaign-due-to-earthquake

• October 27, 2022: Other relatively wealthy Muslim countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey are also either absent or lagging in the list of donors to the Afghanistan humanitarian appeal.

Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/why-don-t-rich-muslim-states-give-more-aid-to-afghanistan-/6808495.html

The European Union

In 2024, the EU has so far allocated over €125.5 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Last year, the EU mobilized €156.5 million in humanitarian funding, including a €4.5 million support package following the series of deadly earthquakes in October 2023.

EU humanitarian aid funding in Afghanistan:

€125.58 million in 2024

€159 million in 2023

€174 million in 2022

€225 million in 2021

Approximately €1.8 billion since 1994

Source: https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/asia-and-pacific/afghanistan_en