US Allocates Another $ 144 Million Aid to Afghanistan and Refugees | News from Germany about events in the world

The United States will provide an additional $ 144 million to help people affected by the humanitarian crisis due to the situation in Afghanistan. This was reported on the White House website on Thursday, October 28.

Thus, the total amount of funds allocated by Washington for Afghanistan and Afghan refugees this year will reach 474 million dollars. “This is the largest amount of support among all countries,” the press release says.

The money will be donated to humanitarian organizations and will go towards medicine, food and water supplies, and supplies for Afghans in need in the region, including Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.

EU allocates around € 1 billion in aid to Afghanistan and its neighbors

In September, Germany announced the allocation of 100 million euros for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added that in the future another 500 million euros could be “brought to the attention of the people of Afghanistan, primarily through the United Nations.” On October 12, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the total amount of aid to Afghanistan and neighboring countries from the European Union is about 1 billion euros.

After the withdrawal of US troops and their allies from Afghanistan, Taliban militants entered Kabul on August 15 and announced on September 3 that they had established control over all of Afghanistan.

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How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

In a male society

Judging by the photographs and videos of news agencies, the streets of Afghanistan have become crowded and noisy again. Restaurants in Herat seem to have reopened to the public. But what immediately catches the eye is that only men are sitting at the tables, some of them are dressed in the traditional kurta for Afghanistan – a knee-length shirt. There are almost no women on the streets.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Learn – only individually

These students at a private university in Kabul are separated from each other by a ceiling-to-floor curtain: universities have already officially announced gender segregation. “Learning together is contrary to the principles of Islam, as well as national values, customs and traditions,” Acting Minister of Higher Education Abdul Baqi Haqqani said in Kabul.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Lost rights and freedoms

On the way to the mosque in Herat: after the Taliban came to power, most of the rights and freedoms that women gained in Afghanistan during the years of staying there were lost. The Taliban have already banned women from sports and social activities.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Constant control on the roads

Checkpoints and road checks have become a characteristic feature of the urban landscape in Afghanistan. People are afraid of Taliban armed to the teeth – and therefore want to attract as little attention to themselves as possible. Western clothing is being worn less and less.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Taliban take over their enemy’s estate

Many villas and palaces have changed owners. This greenhouse and estate in Kabul’s Sherpur district was recently owned by Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Afghan field commander and former vice president. Taliban militants have taken over the home of one of their worst enemies. Dostum himself fled to Uzbekistan.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Waiting for work

Day laborers sit by the side of a road in Kabul, hoping to be offered some kind of job. After the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan is experiencing an economic crisis, and many of the country’s residents have been left without work. According to the UN, in the coming months, the population of Afghanistan will be threatened by rising food prices and poverty.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Fight for your rights

The rise to power of the Taliban in many cities of the country was accompanied by protests such as this one in front of the presidential palace in Kabul on September 3. Afghan women activists defend their right to education and work – even as the Taliban forcefully disperse peaceful demonstrations.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

United Nations is concerned

According to the UN, the Taliban are increasingly brutalizing critics of the regime. Radical Islamists are using sticks, whips and live ammunition to disperse peaceful protests, the United Nations Human Rights Office (UN) said. It is also reported that at least four demonstrators were killed.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Who supports the Taliban

But there are also those in Afghanistan who are quite satisfied with the Taliban’s coming to power. The women in the photo came out to the demonstration, accompanied by the Taliban, to declare their full agreement with the group’s policies. Taliban supporters do not support those women who fled the country, and claim that Sharia law fully ensures their safety.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban

Demonstrative support for the Taliban course

Before the start of the demonstration in support of the Taliban, some of the participants were taken to a lecture hall at a university in Kabul. Journalists were officially invited to cover the action. This was in stark contrast to the Taliban’s hostility towards media representatives at protests.

Author: Claudia Den, Marina Baranovskaya