Washington:
Western Union announced on Thursday that it would resume its cash transfer service to Afghanistan, enabling essential remittances into the nation as it faces financial hurdles following the Taliban’s takeover last month.
“Western Union is pleased to share that it is resuming its money transfer services into Afghanistan, starting September 2, so that our customers can once again send money and support their loved ones at this time,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“We understand the urgent needs of our customers and their families and are committed to supporting them,” the spokesperson mentioned, adding that Western Union would waive transfer charges from September 3 by way of 17.
Remittances from Afghans living abroad are critical for the impoverished country’s economy and amounted to nearly $789 million in 2020, according to the World Bank — some 4 % of the country’s estimated $19.8 billion GDP that year.
The Washington-based development bank last week announced it would suspend help to the nation, saying it was “deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the country’s development prospects, especially for women.”
The IMF announced shortly just after the Taliban’s takeover that it would suspend its help to the nation, citing uncertainty surrounding its leadership.
The terrorists, who have pledged a softer brand of rule than for the duration of their brutal reign of 1996-2001, are anticipated to quickly kind a new government.
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