US: According to a US official familiar with the decision, President Joe Biden is expected to issue an executive order on Friday to move USD7 billion of the Afghan central bank's assets frozen in the US banking system to fund humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and compensate victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The order calls on US financial institutions to make USD3.5 billion in assets available for Afghan aid and basic needs.

The remaining USD3.5 billion would stay in the United States and be used to support continuing litigation by US terrorism victims, according to the official. Because the decision had not been properly announced, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Since the Taliban took control of the country, the country's long-struggling economy has been in a tailspin. The international community provided about 80% of Afghanistan's previous government's budget. That money, which is now unavailable, was used to fund hospitals, schools, factories, and government ministries.

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as health-care shortages, drought, and starvation, have heightened the need for such basic goods.

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