Taliban Benefiting from International Aid Through Fraudulent NGOs, US Watchdog Reports

Taliban Accused of Employing Methods to Misdirect $185 Million in US Aid for Education Since 2021, Prompts Concern over Fraud and Governance in Afghanistan's NGO Sector

The U.S. watchdog for assistance to Afghanistan, SIGAR, reports that the Taliban have benefited from international aid through the creation of fraudulent NGOs and the infiltration of existing ones.
Since the Taliban gained power in August 2021, they have exerted greater control over NGOs, barring Afghan women from such work and using international funding to generate tax revenues.
Around $185 million, mainly meant for education, has been spent in Afghanistan since August 2021, but the Taliban have reportedly manipulated this aid by taxing and extorting Afghans who receive assistance.
Taliban policies and staffing changes have led to a decline in the quality of education, resulting in teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings, and questions over the Taliban's intentions and ability to sustain the education sector.
Despite SIGAR's findings, spokespeople from Afghanistan's Economy and Education Ministries refute the report's claims, arguing there is no evidence of Taliban interference and that school facilities' quality has improved.