The World Bank announced on Tuesday that it had suspended aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban took power, while exploring
"ways to remain engaged to (...) continue to support the Afghan people"
.
Read alsoAfghanistan: the American withdrawal sends Europeans back to their lack of autonomy
"We have suspended the payments (of funds) within the framework of our operations in Afghanistan and we are monitoring and assessing the situation closely
,
"
a spokesperson told AFP.
"We are deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the country's development prospects, especially for women,"
she also stressed.
The spokeswoman did not indicate the amount of payments that were scheduled before the takeover by the Taliban.
Until then, the World Bank had carried out around 20 development projects in Afghanistan.
Since 2002, it has provided $ 5.3 billion, mostly in the form of grants.
Aid already suspended by the IMF
Washington's other international institution, the International Monetary Fund, announced on August 18 the suspension of its own aid to Afghanistan due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of the leaders in Kabul after the takeover of the country. country by the Taliban.
"There is currently a lack of clarity within the international community regarding the recognition of a government in Afghanistan, as a result of which the country cannot access SDRs (special drawing rights, note) or other IMF resources ”
, he had then justified.
The IMF was to pay Kabul a final aid tranche of some 105.6 million dollars as part of a program approved on 6 November 2020 for a total amount of 370 million dollars. Former Afghan Central Bank President Ajmal Ahmadi said on Twitter that Kabul should have received about $ 340 million on 23 August from the IMF for the issuance of new special drawing rights that are used to increase country reserves.