The UN Security Council (UNSC) approved the US resolution on providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without violating UN sanctions on the Taliban.
The Wednesday resolution says that payment of funds or other financial aid to Afghanistan allowed. In particular, the provision of goods and services necessary to ensure the timely delivery of such assistance or to support such activities. As the document stresses, it “supports basic human needs in Afghanistan” and was “not a violation” of sanctions imposed on entities linked to the Taliban.
In Washington, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued three general licences on Wednesday to facilitate the continued flow of vital assistance and support for the Afghan people.
Commenting on the move, the US State Department said:
“These licenses expand upon existing authorisations for the provision of humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs and enable broader support for the Afghan people consistent with the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council earlier today,” the document reads.
The UNSC resolution, drafted by the United States and unanimously adopted by the 15 members of the UN Security Council, “establishes a carveout in the UN 1988 sanctions regime to “ensure urgently needed aid can reach the Afghan people,” the statement added. “UN sanctions are an important tool to respond to threats and human rights abuses, but we must make sure these sanctions do not hinder the delivery of urgently needed aid to the Afghan people,” statement added.
In their efforts to help the Afghans, the US expressed hope that with the adoption of this resolution, the international fora, the UN bodies, organizations will be able to provide all possible assistance to Kabul without being concerned without legal impediment.
Taliban government of Afghanistan welcomed the UNSC resolution.
“We appreciate it (as) it can help Afghanistan’s economic situation,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wednesday.
