Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has once again come under scrutiny after reports accused it of diverting and misappropriating international humanitarian aid meant for vulnerable Afghan citizens.
According to an Afghan media report, Taliban authorities in Kunduz allegedly retained half of the humanitarian aid that was delivered for distribution among needy families. The assistance packages were provided by the Saudi King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in aid distribution.
Further revelations emerged from a report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), which highlighted systemic corruption and large-scale interference in humanitarian operations. The report documented 150 cases of aid interference, with 95 percent attributed directly to the Taliban regime.
The findings indicate that Taliban authorities frequently divert aid to favored individuals and groups, rather than distributing it impartially among the population. The report noted that international aid to Afghanistan reached $10.72 billion in 2025, with the United States contributing the largest share—$3.83 billion.
Alarmingly, the report also disclosed that $293 million worth of aid funds have ended up in the hands of terrorist networks, further intensifying fears that humanitarian assistance is being exploited to finance militant activities.
The allegations are likely to fuel renewed debate among international donors over aid oversight mechanisms, as Afghanistan continues to face a deep humanitarian crisis amid economic collapse, food insecurity, and widespread poverty.
