The United States established diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in 1935. In 2012, the United States and Afghanistan concluded the Strategic Partnership Agreement to strengthen our bilateral relationship, support Afghanistan’s capabilities as a partner, and improve the lives of the Afghan people. On February 29, 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement, which led to the August
The United States established diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in 1935. In 2012, the United States and Afghanistan concluded the Strategic Partnership Agreement to strengthen our bilateral relationship, support Afghanistan’s capabilities as a partner, and improve the lives of the Afghan people. On February 29, 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement, which led to the August 30, 2021, withdrawal of U.S. and Allied forces from Afghanistan. Since the forcible takeover by the Taliban in August 2021, culminating in the fall of Kabul on August 15, the United States has shifted to a position of pragmatic engagement in Afghanistan. The United States has not yet made a decision as to whether to recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the Government of Afghanistan or as part of such a government. The U.S. has undertaken significant efforts in coordination with the international community to assist the Afghan people during a period of humanitarian and economic catastrophe.
The Doha Agreement memorialized the United States’ commitment to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, as well as commitments from the Taliban to prevent any group or individual, including Al Qa’ida, from using the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies as well as a pledge by the Taliban to engage in intra-Afghan negotiations
The Doha Agreement memorialized the United States’ commitment to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, as well as commitments from the Taliban to prevent any group or individual, including Al Qa’ida, from using the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies as well as a pledge by the Taliban to engage in intra-Afghan negotiations with other Afghan groups to form a post-settlement government. The United States continues to engage with the Taliban to ensure they fully abide by these commitments.
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the United States has stopped providing assistance for the purpose of the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The United States has changed the nature and scope of its activities in Afghanistan to focus instead on humanitarian aid and targeted assistance to help meet basic human needs and avoid a complete and imminent economic collapse. As
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the United States has stopped providing assistance for the purpose of the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The United States has changed the nature and scope of its activities in Afghanistan to focus instead on humanitarian aid and targeted assistance to help meet basic human needs and avoid a complete and imminent economic collapse. As part of these efforts, the United States has led the international response to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people working through UN agencies and NGOs, providing $775 million in such assistance as of July 2022. The United States has advanced efforts to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance and help fulfill the basic needs of Afghans in the priority areas of food security/agriculture, health, and education. Beyond basic needs, the United States has also supported programs designed to improve human rights in Afghanistan, particularly those of women, girls, and minority communities. The United States remains the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
We continue to closely monitor events and carefully assess conditions in Afghanistan. The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas remain a top priority. Click here for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Since July, 2021 the United States has shared 4,320,050 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Afghanistan – free of cost. This includes 4,320,050 J&J doses. Of the 4,320,050 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX.
President Biden committed the United States to be the world’s arsenal for vaccines, leading an international and coordinated vaccination effort, and announced that the United States will provide 1.2 billion doses of safe, effective vaccines – free of cost – to meet global needs and save lives now. The United States is working with other governments, global initiatives including COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), and other partners to get COVID-19 vaccines to where they are needed most.
