The United States and the Taliban planned talks for Thursday, June 30, regarding the release of frozen funds for Afghanistan in wake of the horrible earthquake. The Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi, along with his delegation, left for Qatar on Wednesday to discuss with the US officials the release of withheld Afghan assets worth USD 9 billion amid the country’s struggles with famine and poverty.
The Taliban’s foreign minister led the delegation to the Qatari capital
The US State Department sent its envoy on Afghanistan, Tom West, to take part and said the United States was focused on a range of interests including human rights and opening schools for girls. This is the first meeting since West pushed Muttaqi to lift restrictions on girl students’ access to education on May 21. Under the Taliban administration, girls are not allowed to continue their education past the sixth grade.
At the same time, US sources claimed that Joe Biden’s administration was working with the Taliban on a mechanism that would provide Afghanistan access to the monetary reserves of the central bank, reported Khaama Press citing The Washington Post.
After the forceful seizure of Afghanistan by the Taliban last year, the US froze Afghan reserves. This comes as a strong earthquake that struck the country last week also caused over 1,500 injuries and approximately 1,000 fatalities.
Earlier, the US said that they would provide nearly USD 55 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to the people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan’s southeastern part.
These funds are supposed to be an aid for the people who were affected— essential food items, clothing, cooking utensils, blankets, jerry cans, and sanitation supplies to prevent waterborne diseases in the disaster-hit areas.
The US announcement came only a day after the United Nations appealed for $US 110.3 million in urgent humanitarian response to some 360,000 Afghans impacted by the earthquake.
The Afghan government and the UN have been largely collaborating to save civilians. However, the United Nations said it does not have heavy machines and equipment and relies on the Afghan authorities to provide it.
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