A plan to use more than $1 billion from a frozen Afghanistan trust fund to finance education, agriculture, health, and family programmes was approved by the World Bank's executive board on Tuesday, the bank announced.

By bypassing sanctioned Taliban authorities and disbursing money through UN agencies and international aid groups, the plan will provide a significant boost to efforts to ease the country's worsening humanitarian and economic crises.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-ban-afghans-from-evacuating-amid-massive-security-sweep-457508">Taliban ban Afghans from evacuating amid massive security sweep</a>

The approach "aims to support the delivery of essential basic services, protect vulnerable Afghans, help preserve human capital and key economic and social services, and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in the future," the bank said in a statement.

Last year, when the Taliban overran Kabul as the last international troops departed after 20 years of war, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) was frozen.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-pakistan-to-hold-discussion-over-durand-line-457033">&nbsp;Afghanistan, Pakistan to hold discussion over Durand line</a>

While foreign governments ended financial aid, which accounted for more than 70 per cent of Afghan government expenditures, the United States spearheaded the freezing of about $9 billion of Afghan central bank assets.

The cuts accelerated an economic collapse, leading to a cash crunch and a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations says has put more than half of Afghanistan's 39 million people at risk of starvation.

Watch: Afghanistan and now Ukraine...Is US about to lose its hegemony?

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In a statement, the World Bank said donors would decide, as a first step, on four projects valued at about $600 million that would address "urgent needs in education, health and agricultural sectors, as well as community livelihoods."

The statement said "strong&nbsp;focus on ensuring that girls and women participate and benefit from the support."&nbsp;

Since the Taliban took to power 20 years ago, women's rights have been eroded. They've lost&nbsp;many of the rights gained during the last two decades,&nbsp;such as the right to work and to travel without close male relatives.

Since the Taliban took over, most girls are not allowed to attend school past seventh grade. Islamist extremists claim that all girls will be allowed to return to class later this month.

(With inputs from agencies)
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A plan to use more than $1 billion from a frozen Afghanistan trust fund to finance education, agriculture, health, and family programmes was approved by the World Bank's executive board on Tuesday, the bank announced.

A plan to use more than $1 billion from a frozen Afghanistan trust fund to finance education, agriculture, health, and family programmes was approved by the World Bank's executive board on Tuesday, the bank announced. By bypassing sanctioned Taliban authorities and disbursing money through UN agencies and international aid groups, the plan will provide a significant boost to efforts to ease the country's worsening humanitarian and economic crises. Also read | Taliban ban Afghans from evacuating amid massive security sweep The approach "aims to support the delivery of essential basic services, protect vulnerable Afghans, help preserve human capital and key economic and social services, and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in the future," the bank said in a statement. Last year, when the Taliban overran Kabul as the last international troops departed after 20 years of war, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) was frozen. Also read | Afghanistan, Pakistan to hold discussion over Durand line While foreign governments ended financial aid, which accounted for more than 70 per cent of Afghan government expenditures, the United States spearheaded the freezing of about $9 billion of Afghan central bank assets. The cuts accelerated an economic collapse, leading to a cash crunch and a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations says has put more than half of Afghanistan's 39 million people at risk of starvation. Watch: Afghanistan and now Ukraine...Is US about to lose its hegemony? In a statement, the World Bank said donors would decide, as a first step, on four projects valued at about $600 million that would address "urgent needs in education, health and agricultural sectors, as well as community livelihoods." The statement said "strong focus on ensuring that girls and women participate and benefit from the support." Since the Taliban took to power 20 years ago, women's rights have been eroded. They've lost many of the rights gained during the last two decades, such as the right to work and to travel without close male relatives. Since the Taliban took over, most girls are not allowed to attend school past seventh grade. Islamist extremists claim that all girls will be allowed to return to class later this month. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan to receive more than $1 billion in aid from the World Bank; funds to bypass Taliban

In a compromise plan, the World Bank may divert funds intended for rebuilding efforts to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, reports claim.

In an informal board meeting on Tuesday, the bank's management intends to discuss the proposal to re-direct funds from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to support humanitarian efforts through the UN and other humanitarian agencies with presence and logistic capabilities in Afghanistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-and-911-families-fight-for-billions-in-frozen-afghan-funds-432862">Taliban and 9/11 families fight for billions in frozen Afghan funds</a>

According to the United Nations, around 22 million Afghans, or more than half of the country, will experience a severe food shortage this winter as a result of drought caused by global warming and an economic crisis aggravated by the Taliban's takeover.

The financial crisis worsened when Washington froze about $10 billion of Afghanistan's reserves and further deteriorated when the World Bank and &nbsp;International Monetary Fund blocked Afghanistan's access to funding.

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In a Reuters report citing people familiar with the plan, the news agency reports that the World Bank plan is part of a compromise between the United Nations and the US government. This decision could result in a $500 million transfer from the ARTF to humanitarian groups.

If the aid would be unlocked, the Taliban would be bypassed. Donors of the ARTF, however, will determine the next steps and timing of the release.

In 2002, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) was established. It is a multi-donor trust fund that coordinates international aid to help millions of Afghans. World Bank manages the ARTF on behalf of 34 donors.

Watch |&nbsp;EU hold talks with Taliban in Doha, to release funds, reopen embassies

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According to the ARTF website this fund "is the largest single source of funding for Afghanistan’s development, financing up to 30 per cent of Afghanistan’s civilian budget, and supporting core functions of the government".&nbsp;

ARTF has partnered with public programs since 2002 to reduce infant mortality and increase education enrolment.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a compromise plan, the World Bank may divert funds intended for rebuilding efforts to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, reports claim. In an informal board meeting on Tuesday, the bank's management intends to discuss the proposal to re-direct funds from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to support humanitarian efforts through the UN and other humanitarian agencies with presence and logistic capabilities in Afghanistan.

In a compromise plan, the World Bank may divert funds intended for rebuilding efforts to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, reports claim. In an informal board meeting on Tuesday, the bank's management intends to discuss the proposal to re-direct funds from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to support humanitarian efforts through the UN and other humanitarian agencies with presence and logistic capabilities in Afghanistan. Also read | Taliban and 9/11 families fight for billions in frozen Afghan funds According to the United Nations, around 22 million Afghans, or more than half of the country, will experience a severe food shortage this winter as a result of drought caused by global warming and an economic crisis aggravated by the Taliban's takeover. The financial crisis worsened when Washington froze about $10 billion of Afghanistan's reserves and further deteriorated when the World Bank and International Monetary Fund blocked Afghanistan's access to funding. Also read | Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes In a Reuters report citing people familiar with the plan, the news agency reports that the World Bank plan is part of a compromise between the United Nations and the US government. This decision could result in a $500 million transfer from the ARTF to humanitarian groups. If the aid would be unlocked, the Taliban would be bypassed. Donors of the ARTF, however, will determine the next steps and timing of the release. In 2002, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) was established. It is a multi-donor trust fund that coordinates international aid to help millions of Afghans. World Bank manages the ARTF on behalf of 34 donors. Watch | EU hold talks with Taliban in Doha, to release funds, reopen embassies According to the ARTF website this fund "is the largest single source of funding for Afghanistan’s development, financing up to 30 per cent of Afghanistan’s civilian budget, and supporting core functions of the government". ARTF has partnered with public programs since 2002 to reduce infant mortality and increase education enrolment. (With inputs from agencies)

Humanitarian aid may be released to Afghanistan by the World Bank: Reports

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Afghanistan to receive more than $1 billion in aid from the World Bank; funds to bypass Taliban

Humanitarian aid may be released to Afghanistan by the World Bank: Reports