A still image taken from a video shows crowds of people near Kabul Airport, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2021.
Asvaka News | via Reuters
LONDON – The World Bank has become the latest international organization to halt aid disbursements to Afghanistan since the Taliban took over.
The Islamic militant group has been controlling the Afghan capital of Kabul for more than a week. It marked the collapse of the country’s government when American and Allied troops withdrew from the war-torn country after 20 years.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the country’s development prospects, especially for women,” a World Bank spokesman told CNBC by email.
“We have halted disbursements in our operations in Afghanistan and are closely monitoring and assessing the situation in accordance with our internal policies and procedures. As we do so, we will continue to consult closely with the international community and development partners.” , the same said the spokesman.
The World Bank had pledged more than $ 5.3 billion for development projects in Afghanistan.
The International Monetary Fund decided last week to block access to Taliban resources to the Taliban. The Washington-based institution wants some clarity on the future government of Kabul before it has its funding back.
There is a similar stance from Germany and the wider European Union, which has also frozen development funds for the Middle East nation since the Taliban’s acquisition.
“Future development assistance must be based on conditions. It is always based on conditions, linked to fundamental values, human rights and, of course, women’s rights. Strictly based on conditions.” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, at a press conference on Tuesday.
He added that the EU has set aside 1 billion euros ($ 1.17 billion) for the next seven years in Afghanistan. “It freezes until we have solid guarantees and credible actions on the basis that the conditions are met,” he said.
However, the EU announced on Tuesday that it would increase its aid for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan from € 50 million this year to € 200 million. The idea is to avoid a strong humanitarian shock due to the situation that develops on the ground.
“This will help meet the urgent needs of Afghans in Afghanistan, but also in neighboring host countries,” von der Leyen also said.
The EU is ready to support nations bordering Afghanistan, such as Pakistan and Iran, to prevent an acute refugee crisis.
European leaders are willing to resettle some refugees from Afghanistan, but want to stop a massive influx similar to that seen in the region in 2015 and 2016 following the conflict in Syria.
Following an emergency video call by G-7 leaders on Tuesday, the United Kingdom and Canada pledged to take in about 20,000 refugees each.