Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The Taliban’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, has announced that the suspension of U.S. aid has led to the closure of 50 international humanitarian organizations across 28 provinces in Afghanistan.
Nazari called on the international community to separate humanitarian assistance from political decisions, stressing that ordinary Afghans should not bear the consequences of geopolitical disputes.
The suspension comes after Donald Trump, following his return to the White House, halted all foreign aid, including financial assistance to Afghanistan, for a period of three months. The decision has exacerbated Afghanistan’s already fragile economic situation, triggering a sharp decline in the value of the national currency.
Despite previous assertions by Taliban officials that their administration is self-reliant, the abrupt cessation of U.S. aid has exposed economic vulnerabilities. Nazari had earlier dismissed Trump’s threats, claiming that the Taliban’s governance was independent of foreign assistance.
The aid suspension has also caused turbulence in Afghanistan’s currency market. Within a week, the Afghan currency depreciated by nearly 10 rupees against the U.S. dollar. In response, Taliban authorities have cracked down on currency traders, compelling them to sell dollars at controlled rates.
To stabilize the currency, the Taliban-controlled central bank has injected millions of dollars into the market. However, economic analysts warn that without sustained external support, maintaining stability will remain a formidable challenge.
The halt in U.S. aid has deepened Afghanistan’s economic crisis, leaving millions vulnerable. While the Taliban continues to assert its economic independence, the country’s reliance on international assistance remains evident. Without the resumption of aid or viable financial alternatives, Afghanistan’s economic collapse could accelerate, worsening the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
