US President Donald Trump's decision to freeze humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has raised concerns about the country's humanitarian situation. Afghanistan, which has been ruled by the Taliban since 2021, is considered impoverished and relies heavily on foreign donations for basic services such as healthcare and education.
Despite withdrawing its troops before the Taliban took power, the US remains the largest donor to Afghanistan. According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the US government has "allocated or provided over $21 billion in assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees" since the Taliban took full control of the country.
The US has asserted that the aid funds are channeled directly to the Afghan people, bypassing the Taliban. However, the Taliban indirectly benefits from the influx of US dollars, as it helps stabilize the national currency and mitigate the risk of inflation. The cessation of foreign currency flows could have a devastating impact on Afghanistan's economy.
Experts argue that foreign aid to Afghanistan, including hundreds of millions of dollars from the US annually, has indirectly helped the Taliban consolidate its power. With dwindling funding, they believe the Taliban may succumb to international demands or risk the rise of domestic opposition.
Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has systematically disregarded fundamental human rights, including access to education and employment outside the home for women. Under Taliban rule, Afghan women are prohibited from showing their faces in public. The erosion of women's rights remains a major obstacle to the international community establishing formal relations with the Taliban.
The Taliban has also failed to form an inclusive government or create opportunities for active citizen participation in national issues. As calls for increased pressure on the Taliban intensify, some warn that cutting aid will only inflict greater suffering on the Afghan people.
According to a UN report, 26 million people in Afghanistan rely on foreign aid for survival. If humanitarian organizations lose access to humanitarian funds, they will be unable to provide even the most basic assistance.
Afghanistan is expected to remain outside the foreign policy agenda of President Donald Trump. The US is currently preoccupied with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as its confrontation with China.
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4, Trump was asked about his plans regarding the Taliban by an Afghan female journalist. He simply stated that he did not understand the question because he was distracted by her "beautiful accent," referring to the reporter's speaking style, without providing an answer.