On Friday, the United States approved two exemptions from economic sanctions imposed on the Taliban movement that took power in Afghanistan, in an attempt to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country.

The first exemption allows the US government, non-governmental organizations, and some international organizations and entities to “provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, or other activities that contribute to meeting basic needs” in the country, according to a statement from the US Department of the Economy.

As for the second exemption, it allows some transactions related to the export of agricultural products (food, seeds, fertilizers), medicines and medical equipment.

The department said it “remains committed to ensuring that US sanctions do not limit the ability of civilians in Afghanistan to receive humanitarian support from the US government or the international community, while at the same time continuing to deny the Taliban and other sanctioned entities and individuals access to certain assets.”

After the Western-backed government in Kabul fell quickly and the Taliban seized power, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank suspended their activities in the country, which led to the withholding of aid from this country.

Afghanistan faces a liquidity crisis with Washington preventing the Taliban government from accessing a large part of its $9 billion financial reserves located abroad.

AFP