Financial Crime World

US Treasury Issues General Licenses for Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

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The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued two general licenses to ensure a continued flow of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and other activities that support basic human needs in the country.

Ensuring Critical Resources Reach Those in Need

According to OFAC Director Andrea M. Gacki, the agency is committed to facilitating the flow of critical resources such as agricultural goods, medicine, and essential supplies to people in need, while upholding and enforcing sanctions against the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and other designated entities.

What are General Licenses 14 and 15?

OFAC issued two general licenses:

  • General License 14: authorizes US government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), certain international organizations, and entities acting on their behalf to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan or engage in activities that support basic human needs.
  • General License 15: permits certain transactions related to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices, as well as replacement parts, components, and software updates for medical devices.

Clarity and Guidance Provided Through FAQs

In conjunction with these licenses, OFAC released four Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) providing clarity on their scope and guidance for non-US persons, including NGOs and foreign financial institutions, engaging in or facilitating transactions authorized under the general licenses. The FAQs are available online as numbers 928, 929, 930, and 931.

Case-by-Case License Requests

For transactions not covered by these licenses, OFAC considers license requests on a case-by-case basis and prioritizes applications related to humanitarian assistance.

Contact Information

Individuals seeking more information on sanctions programs’ requirements or the scope of humanitarian-related authorizations can contact OFAC’s Sanction Compliance and Evaluation Division at:

By issuing these general licenses, the US government continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to those in need while upholding sanctions against designated entities.