WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday announced a new contribution of more than $308 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan.

This brings total US humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since October 2021, retaining its position as the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

The United States is also sending one million additional Covid-19 vaccine doses through a UN program, bringing our total to 4.3 million doses.

The new humanitarian assistance by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will directly flow through independent humanitarian organizations engaged in providing lifesaving protection and shelter, essential health care, winterisation assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

“The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us.

We stand with the people of Afghanistan,” the White House said in a statement announcing the assistance.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2022