The United Nations said Thursday it follows strict rules for distributing international aid in Afghanistan, after a US government watchdog alleged funds were diverted by the Taliban authorities, including through collusion with UN officials.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it took "extremely seriously any allegations of malpractice and corruption," in a statement acknowledging the report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) published Wednesday.
The UN said delivering aid in Afghanistan was "extremely complex", marked by "attempts at interference and restrictions" by Taliban officials.
It emphasised, however, "robust safeguards" were in place to "ensure critical international assistance to the Afghan people reaches those who need it most".
In interviews with 90 people, including UN and US government officials, SIGAR said it found that "the Taliban use every means at their disposal, including force, to ensure that aid goes where they want it to, as opposed to where donors intend".
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