Biden To Split $7B Of Frozen Afghan Funds Between Humanitarian Efforts and 9/11 Families

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday allowing $7 billion in frozen assets from Afghanistan's central bank to be equally distributed between humanitarian efforts for the Afghan people and the families of 9/11 victims.

The funds were frozen in U.S. reserves after the central government in Afghanistan collapsed at the hands of the Taliban back in August. Biden, who said he stood "squarely behind" his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, said his administration will ask a judge for permission to move $3.5 billion of the assets to a trust fund for the ongoing American humanitarian relief to Afghan citizens. The other $3.5 billion will temporarily remain in holding for families of 9/11 victims that have been pursuing financial compensation from the Taliban. In recent weeks, many outlets have reported on the extreme hunger crisis occurring in Afghanistan. According to the UNICEF World Food Program, it would cost the U.S. about $220 million a month to meet "the food and nutrition needs" of the 23 million Afghans currently facing acute hunger. 

Left-rated outlets were more likely to promote stories that highlighted the "growing animosity" among the Afghan people who generally believe U.S. sanctions have done little to punish the Taliban, while ordinary citizens face an economic and humanitarian crisis. Right-rated outlets were more likely to emphasize how another $2 billion of Afghan assets remain frozen in other countries.