Voices on Peace and War

Where Does Afghanistan’s Aid Money Go? Billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance have been directed toward Afghanistan since 2021. But how much of that funding can actually be traced to its ultimate use? In this edition of Voices on Peace and War, Shoaib Alami examines a troubling gap between international humanitarian appeals and public accountability. Drawing on research from the Kabul Institute, he explores why only 9 percent of $8 billion in reported humanitarian funding can be traced beyond its initial recipients—and what greater transparency could mean for the millions of Afghans who depend on that assistance. Alami, Head of Partnerships at the Kabul Institute, brings more than 18 years of international development and infrastructure experience to the discussion. His latest article, The Appeal Without the Account, leads this edition, accompanied by two earlier contributions to Voices on Peace and War. Together, these articles invite readers to consider the complex challenges of conflict, humanitarian assistance, and the pursuit of lasting peace.