The United States has allocated over $14 billion in the past three years for the evacuation, rescue, and resettlement of Afghan refugees, this figure was revealed by the inspector general responsible for overseeing these operations.
This substantial investment covered the costs of U.S. military evacuation flights and provided housing for thousands of Afghans at military bases across the country before they were resettled into American communities. In addition to aid within the U.S., more than $3 billion has been sent to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in mid-2021. The Biden administration aims to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan without inadvertently funding the Taliban regime.
Inspector General John Sopko, in his latest quarterly review, emphasized that despite ending direct military involvement, the U.S. remains committed to aiding the Afghan people, making it the largest donor nation amid ongoing crises. Sopko highlighted a worsening situation under Taliban rule, particularly regarding oppressive laws against women and restrictions on non-Islamic aid organizations. The Taliban's strict morality law curtails women's public presence and enforces a rigid moral code overseen by a powerful morality police.
The financial toll includes not only immediate evacuation expenses but also long-term resettlement costs in American communities and ongoing humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan itself. Sopko pointed out that over $8.7 billion was dedicated to Operation Allies Welcome with an additional $5.3 billion for its follow-up operation, Enduring Welcome. Furthermore, since August 2021, $3.2 billion has been directed toward humanitarian aid for those remaining in Afghanistan, alongside a significant $3.5 billion contribution aimed at replenishing the Afghan Central Bank's reserves.
Having observed and evaluated U.S reconstruction efforts since 2012, Inspector General Sopko proposed concluding his agency’s role by next summer due to diminished U.S activities in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. He suggests that oversight responsibilities could be transitioned to other existing inspectorates such as those within the State Department, reflecting a shift towards standard monitoring processes given the current political landscape in Afghanistan.
This substantial investment covered the costs of U.S. military evacuation flights and provided housing for thousands of Afghans at military bases across the country before they were resettled into American communities. In addition to aid within the U.S., more than $3 billion has been sent to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in mid-2021. The Biden administration aims to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan without inadvertently funding the Taliban regime.
Inspector General John Sopko, in his latest quarterly review, emphasized that despite ending direct military involvement, the U.S. remains committed to aiding the Afghan people, making it the largest donor nation amid ongoing crises. Sopko highlighted a worsening situation under Taliban rule, particularly regarding oppressive laws against women and restrictions on non-Islamic aid organizations. The Taliban's strict morality law curtails women's public presence and enforces a rigid moral code overseen by a powerful morality police.
The financial toll includes not only immediate evacuation expenses but also long-term resettlement costs in American communities and ongoing humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan itself. Sopko pointed out that over $8.7 billion was dedicated to Operation Allies Welcome with an additional $5.3 billion for its follow-up operation, Enduring Welcome. Furthermore, since August 2021, $3.2 billion has been directed toward humanitarian aid for those remaining in Afghanistan, alongside a significant $3.5 billion contribution aimed at replenishing the Afghan Central Bank's reserves.
Having observed and evaluated U.S reconstruction efforts since 2012, Inspector General Sopko proposed concluding his agency’s role by next summer due to diminished U.S activities in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. He suggests that oversight responsibilities could be transitioned to other existing inspectorates such as those within the State Department, reflecting a shift towards standard monitoring processes given the current political landscape in Afghanistan.
