Afghanistan: What humanitarian aid is getting in?

The worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has left over 20 million people in need of assistance, the UN says. Many countries suspended or significantly cut funding to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Last month, the UN launched what it said was the "largest ever appeal" for a single country, asking for $4.4bn in funding.

Prior to the overthrown of the government last year about 80% of its budget came external aid. However, most of this aid was suspended once the Taleban took power and financial assets (nearly $10bn) were frozen by foreign governments and institutions. But humanitarian aid did continue to flow, and some foreign governments clarified that this support would be exempt from sanctions. 

As of February, about $1.6bn (£1.36bn) has been provided to Afghanistan, according the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA). And the US has consistently been the largest donor, followed by the European Union - although some countries in the EU, such as Germany, have provided additional funding.

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