Biden plans to split $7 billion in frozen Afghan assets between humanitarian aid, 9/11 compensation

President Biden will on Friday reportedly issue an executive order to split  $7 billion in frozen Afghanistan assets to fund humanitarian efforts in that country and compensate 9/11 victims. 

The president's decision is being reported by the Associated Press, based on information from a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

International funding to Afghanistan was suspended and billions of dollars of the country's assets abroad were frozen after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021 as the U.S. military withdrew.

The Biden administration has since had to figure out how to help Afghans struggling in the country's challenged economy without giving direct support to the new government.

Biden's order would, according to the wire service’s source, require U.S. financial institutions to provide access to $3.5 billion for Afghan relief and basic needs. And the other $3.5 billion would remain in the U.S. to pay for litigation by U.S. victims of terrorism, the official said. 

The decision was first reported by The New York Times. 

The Taliban has asked the international community to release funds and help avoid a humanitarian disaster.