WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to continue humanitarian aid to the Afghan people through Unit
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to continue humanitarian aid to the Afghan people through United Nations agencies and nongovernment organizations, a day after the United States said it would provide nearly $64 million in new humanitarian assistance. The top U.S. diplomat faced another round of tough questioning Tuesday from lawmakers over last month’s withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan during testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Blinken said the additional funding will «meet critical health and nutrition needs, address the protection concerns of women, children, and minorities, to help more children — including girls — go back to school.» The U.S. assistance, which would bypass the Taliban and distribute directly to Afghans, means the U.S. has provided nearly $330 million in assistance to the Afghan people this fiscal year. The U.N. is appealing for $606 million for the remainder of this year for food, health care, shelter and other vital needs to assist 11 million people. As this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially opens Tuesday, whether or not the Taliban leadership will represent Afghanistan at this year’s international gathering also remains to be seen. Senate committee chair Bob Menendez said the idea that the Taliban would abide by its commitments and the U.S. would expect a different result «is somewhat absurd.» He asked other countries not to recognize the Taliban bilaterally. «We know now that the Taliban had no intention of pursuing a political path,» said Senator Menendez. «They had no intention of breaking ties with al-Qaida. And it clearly had no intention of allowing women to have their rightful seat at the table and to participate fully in society.» Senator James Risch of Idaho, the Senate panel’s lead Republican, said «any country that offered support to the Taliban in the recent offensive should risk a strategic downgrade in their relationship with the United States.» In testimony Monday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Blinken said he had not spoken personally to members of the Taliban leadership. He added on Tuesday that the legitimacy and support the Taliban seeks from the international community will depend on its conduct. The chief U.S. diplomat also staunchly defended the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan after 20 years, during questioning from some lawmakers.
