SIGAR Report: UN Aid to Afghanistan Indirectly Benefiting Taliban Regime

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released a 39-page report indicating that the Taliban government is indirectly benefiting from United Nations aid to Afghanistan.

While the UN assistance has helped stabilize Afghanistan’s economy, the Taliban have also profited from it. SIGAR’s findings reveal that sending U.S. dollars to Afghanistan has indirectly benefited the Taliban, as taxes and fees related to humanitarian aid generate revenue for them.

The report states that the Taliban benefit from foreign currency exchange profits through their controlled central bank. They also collect taxes from aid organizations and their local staff. This increased revenue and stability of the Afghan currency has enhanced the Taliban’s ability to fund their security priorities.

The UN has sent and distributed $3.8 billion in aid to Afghanistan from December 2021 to present. SIGAR suggests that Congress should consider the significant benefits this money provides to the Taliban and take action accordingly.

There are also allegations that the Taliban directly interfere in the distribution of foreign aid, with more assistance reaching those connected to the regime.