U.N. political mission clarifies how it uses cash in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's central bank made "misleading and unhelpful" remarks about tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, U.N. officials said.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan disputed the Taliban-controlled bank's portrayal of US$40 million in aid as if it had some say over the cash. UNAMA said it alone distributes the stacks of dollars pictured in the bank's tweet.

The United Nations ships the cash to Afghanistan and deposits them in private bank accounts controlled by the world body.

The dispute over how the money is characterized reflects the rising tension between the U.N. and the Taliban over its ban on women holding jobs or receiving education.

Last month the heads of about two dozen U.N.-aligned and other international organizations pursued diplomacy while demanding the Taliban immediately end its policies severely curtailing the freedoms of women and girls.

Cash for humanitarian work

The U.N. leaders denounced a decision by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to ban women from working in humanitarian nongovernmental organizations.

They called it a major blow for women, children and other vulnerable communities that would harm the entire country by forcing some programs to be halted.

The U.N. flies in cash because of disruptions to banking caused by economic sanctions on Afghanistan's government since the Taliban took over in August 2021. The nation's currency reserves were frozen and bank transfers ended.

"It is used by U.N. agencies to support its humanitarian work," UNAMA said Saturday. "Announcements by non-U.N. entities about U.N. fund shipments are misleading and unhelpful."

The U.N. Security Council established UNAMA in March 2002 to work with Afghanistan's government and support a process of peace and reconciliation, monitor and promote human rights, and protect civilians in armed conflict.

US$1.8 billion in little more than a year

At least nine U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, U.N. Women and the World Food Program, consider the cash transfers an essential tool to provide life-saving assistance to more than 25 million Afghans, UNAMA said in an info sheet.

"All cash brought into Afghanistan is placed in designated U.N. accounts in a private bank for use by the United Nations," said UNAMA.

"All these funds are then distributed directly to the United Nations entities, as well as to a small number of approved and vetted humanitarian partners in Afghanistan," it said. "Since this transfer mechanism commenced in December 2021, the U.N. has brought in to Afghanistan approximately US$1.8 billion in funds for the United Nations and partners to conduct their work."

UNAMA was responding to a tweet from the central bank saying a US$40 million humanitarian aid package arrived in Afghanistan "and was deposited in one of the commercial banks in Kabul." It did not mention the money was for U.N. use alone.

"Da Afghanistan Bank appreciates any principled move that will bring currency to the country and help the needy in the society," the bank said.