IMF warns humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Comments come a month after Taliban militants ousted the Western-backed Government and took over Afghanistan.

Since then, The IMF and other lenders suspended the funds for the country.

IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said Thursday that, despite concerns, IMF funds for Afghanistan will remain suspended.

He told reporters in Washington that the immediate focus should be on helping the Afghan people, allowing the flow of remittances and providing assistance to countries housing Afghan refugees.

Even before the Taliban took control, Afghanistan's economy was extremely fragile.

Supported for 20 years by foreign aid, about 40 per cent of Afghanistan's gross domestic production was the result of international aid.

But since the Taliban took control of Kabul on 15 August, foreign donors suspended aid to Afghanistan, saying the funds would be conditioned by the behaviour of the new Government led by the Taliban, which is not yet recognised by any country.

Besides the IMF, the World Bank and foreign governments also suspended aid payments.

Common bank transfers to individuals in Afghanistan were also blocked.

This led Afghan citizens to face rising inflation and poverty.