The United States has granted two exemptions from economic sanctions imposed on the Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan this summer, in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country.
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The first exemption authorizes the US government, NGOs, and some international organizations and entities,
"to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan or other activities contributing to basic needs"
in the country, details a statement from the ministry of the American Economy.
The second exemption authorizes certain transactions related to the export of agricultural products (food, seeds, fertilizers), drugs and medical equipment, it is added. The ministry
"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 continuing to deny the Taliban and other entities and individuals under sanctions access to certain assets ”.
Afghanistan, an already very poor country, is threatened to sink even further into precariousness with economic sanctions and the interruption of many humanitarian programs after the takeover of the country by the Taliban last month.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have suspended aid while the United States has frozen Afghan Central Bank reserves held in Washington.