Treasury Department Issues Guidelines to Facilitate Humanitarian Assistance in Afghanistan Amid Ongoing Sanctions

Washington D.C., September 24, 2021

In a move aimed at supporting the people of Afghanistan, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued two general licenses authorizing humanitarian assistance and activities that support basic human needs in the war-torn country. This decision is part of the US government’s longstanding practice of allowing the provision of essential goods and services to areas affected by sanctions.

Commitment to Humanitarian Support

According to OFAC Director Andrea M. Gacki, “Treasury remains committed to ensuring that our sanctions do not limit the ability of civilians in Afghanistan to receive humanitarian support from the United States government and international community while denying assets to the Taliban and other sanctioned entities.”

General Licenses Issued

Two general licenses were issued:

• GL 14: Authorizes US government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and certain international entities to provide humanitarian assistance or engage in activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan.
• GL 15: Allows for transactions related to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices.

FAQs Released

Concurrent with these guidelines, OFAC also released four FAQs providing additional clarity on the scope of the general licenses and guidance for non-US persons engaging in authorized activities.

Case-by-Case Review

OFAC considers license requests on a case-by-case basis and prioritizes applications related to humanitarian assistance. Those seeking more information can contact OFAC’s Sanction Compliance and Evaluation Division at (800) 540-6322 or (202) 622-2490, or by email at OFAC_Feedback@treasury.gov.

Balancing Humanitarian Aid with Sanctions

This move aims to balance the need for humanitarian aid with the requirement to uphold sanctions against the Taliban and other designated entities. The US Treasury Department will continue working with financial institutions, international organizations, and NGOs to ease the flow of critical resources to those in need while enforcing sanctions.

Contact Information

For more information or to request a license, contact OFAC’s Sanction Compliance and Evaluation Division at (800) 540-6322 or (202) 622-2490, or by email at OFAC_Feedback@treasury.gov.