US aid has already begun arriving in Afghanistan following Wednesday’s earthquake. The State Department said, without waiting for a formal request from its Taliban rulers.
Powerful earthquake
More than a thousand people were killed and countless others were injured. When a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan early on Wednesday morning. Read More
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
According to a statement released by the office of US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday evening. US humanitarian partners are already responding, including by sending medical teams to help people affected. Blinken added that his office is also considering other response options.
“The generous support of all countries, international organizations, individuals and foundations. It is a request that the Taliban government has not yet made to the United States. Learn More
Watchdog group
A watchdog group of withholding information about Afghan affairs is accusing the State Department and USAID.
“This natural disaster compounds an already dire humanitarian situation,” Secretary Blinken said of Afghanistan’s people.
USAID
In the meantime, a congressional watchdog has accused the State Department. And the US Agency for International Development (USAID) of illegally withholding information from it regarding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and their dealings with the Taliban.
SIGAR
SIGAR sent a letter to the secretary of State and USAID administrator. On June 22 expressing its concerns about the government’s handling of Afghanistan reconstruction.
This “blistering letter” shares with Congress, according to US media, and SIGAR was tasked with auditing US military and economic assistance to Afghanistan as a result.
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain
President Jobiden’s White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and OMB Director Shalanda Young received a copy of the letter from SIGAR chief John Sopko. The letter was distribute among the chairs and ranking members of the armed services and foreign affairs committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Ned Price
Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, did not deny SIGAR’s allegation when asked about it at a news briefing. Watchdog group Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report last month that described in detail how the American-backed Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) had collapsed under Taliban pressures.
US government officials disagree with the report’s findings
State Department and US government officials disagree with the report’s findings, according to Mr. Price. State Department and other parts of the United States government have unique perspectives on the events in Afghanistan that not include in the report. ”
“We don’t concur with many aspects of the (SIGAR) report,” Price said, referring to the “many statements” the State Department has made about Afghanistan’s current situation.
