Since the botched withdrawal two years ago, the Biden administration has reportedly sent Taliban-controlled Afghanistan over $2.3 billion, according to a recent report.
Released a week ago, a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that the financial support has persisted even after the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Kabul, marked by the deaths of 13 American service members and the abandonment of billions of dollars worth of military equipment.
The findings, detailed in a report dated July 30, underscore that a substantial amount of taxpayers’ funds has been given to the country for reconstruction, with the funds being allocated to various aid organizations.
“The U.S. government has appropriated more than $2.35 billion in [fiscal year] 2022 and [fiscal year] 2023 funding for Afghanistan reconstruction programming since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021,” the report stated.
Furthermore, in addition to the billions already provided, the report from SIGAR highlighted that there are additional funds prepared to be disbursed to support additional projects.
Of six active reconstruction funds, the report found “about $1.70 billion remained for possible disbursement.”
“This amount includes $580 million obligated but unspent on 86 active projects, $557 million in funds available for obligation or subobligation on future projects, and $545 million obligated but unspent on inactive, suspended, or terminated contracts,” the report said.
While the funds are designated for non-governmental organizations, it is believed that a significant portion of the money has been redirected by the Taliban.
John Sopko, the leader of SIGAR, raised concerns in April during discussions with members of Congress that American taxpayer dollars were being used by the Taliban.
In the recent report, Sopko expressed concern over the Taliban redirecting funds meant for projects aimed at aiding civilians.
Sopko emphasized that it is no longer a matter of whether the Taliban are diverting assistance intended for the Afghan people, but rather the extent to which they are doing so.
The report’s findings revealed that financial resources continue to flow into the country, even amid the occurrence of a “gender apartheid” targeting women.
Furthermore, SIGAR cautioned that the Taliban’s actions extend beyond the oppression of women, encompassing allegations of “crimes against humanity including corporal punishments and extrajudicial killings.”
The Defense Department’s departure from the country was so abrupt that approximately $7 billion worth of U.S. military equipment was left behind, as reported by Forbes.
According to SIGAR, a total of $147.06 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds has been expended in Afghanistan since 2002.
