WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday announced more than $266 million in new humanitarian aid for Afghanistan as part of what he called the American commitment to the people of Afghanistan, according to a press statement from the US Department of State. This brings the total US humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to nearly $3.9 billion since 2002. "This assistance from the American people will help our international humanitarian partners provide support to some of the estimated 18 million people in need in Afghanistan, including more than 4.8 million Afghans internally displaced, Blinken said in the statement. The announcement of a new aid package comes as the US-led international forces are preparing to leave Afghanistan, prompting fears of a civil war in the war-hit country. "As the United States withdraws military forces from Afghanistan, our enduring commitment is clear. We remain engaged through our full diplomatic, economic, and assistance toolkit to support the peaceful, stable future the Afghan people want and deserve," the statement read. Blinked highlighted the plight of Afghan refugees who are enduring hardship while living outside their homeland. "We urge Afghan leaders and the Taliban to accelerate progress toward a negotiated political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire to bring an end to over forty years of conflict and create the conditions that will allow refugees to return to their homes safely," Blinken added in the statement.
