New Zealand Did Not Donate Money to the Taliban
The Claim
The New Zealand government donates 3 Million Dollars to the Taliban.
News posted on
Emerging story
Users on social media are circulating a claim in which they say New Zealand has donated $3 million to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Users expressed anger and disbelief.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: The Misbar team found the claim to be misleading. Reviewing credible news sources, it was revealed that the New Zealand government is indeed providing $3 million dollars to Afghanistan, however, this is for humanitarian aid and not the Taliban. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that the funds will be received by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency in Afghanistan. She added that "the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions in need of assistance and hundreds of thousands displaced by the recent conflict - 80 percent of whom are reported to be women and girls.”
While many Afghans have fled Afghanistan, the majority are still in the country and require assistance. Both organizations receiving the funds are effective and credible with a strong record of providing humanitarian assistance globally. They are also both operational in Afghanistan according to their respective websites.
Given the findings, it can be confirmed that the claim is misleading, the New Zealand government is funding two international humanitarian organizations and not the Taliban.
