White House to send more than $300 million in aid to Afghanistan despite Taliban control

The White House announced plans Tuesday to send more than $308 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan as millions face starvation under the new Taliban government following President Joe Biden's withdrawal.

The assistance would be given by the United States Agency for International Development through "independent humanitarian organizations" to the Afghan people, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said.

The administration has been criticized for sending aid to Afghanistan previously. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) warned that it would be "foolish" and asserted that the Taliban "would take the money." 

"This brings total U.S. humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since October 2021, and we remain the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan," Horne said, adding that the U.S. has also given 4.3 million COVID-19 doses to the Afghan people.

Assistance will "help provide lifesaving protection and shelter, essential health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services in response to the growing humanitarian needs exacerbated by COVID-19 and healthcare shortages, drought, malnutrition, and the winter season," Horne said.

China sent assistance to Afghanistan last month to help the nation prepare for winter and build ties between the Chinese Communist Party and the new jihadist government. 

"The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us," Horne concluded. "We stand with the people of Afghanistan."