On 17th February 2022, the members of the Taliban group met with the representatives of the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) to discuss the course of the process to unlock the funding of the aid to tackle worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. The delegation which is led by the acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on a day before held their second day of talks with diplomats from 16 European countries in the Qatari capital, Doha. EU special representative for Afghanistan, Thomas Niklasson who was present during the talks declared that the bloc is committed to delivering 500 million euros ($569m) in assistance through the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian organisations.
During the meeting, it was also decided that the group will be opening the primary and secondary school for both girls and boys by march. It was also decided that the talks will continue between the group and other organizations through both physical as well as virtual meetings.
The Taliban after the meeting released a statement “All participants pledged to make all possible efforts for the overall well-being of the Afghan people,” that the international community is ready to take “effective steps in the field of humanitarian assistance”. But the statement released doesn’t state in detail how the international community is contributing to the civilians of the country.
Many of the members of the group are still under the US and EU sanctions and lack recognition around the world about the authorities. The lack of finical support and sanctions have led the country into a crisis and worsening conditions of the country. All of this has led to speculations that the humanitarian crisis will bring 97% of the population below the poverty line. The release of aid by the Western countries and international financial institutions have been linked to the improvement of the country’s human rights record, especially in the case of women. Women have been barred from working in several sectors and girls are not allowed to attend classes. Though the Taliban has promised the return of girls of all ages to schools by the end of next month, how true will be the case, that only time will tell.
