The World Bank has suspended aid to Afghanistan, saying it is "deeply concerned" about the situation in the country and the impact that the Taliban's seizure of power will have on development prospects, especially for women.
"We have paused disbursements in our operations in Afghanistan and we are closely monitoring and assessing the situation," a World Bank official told AFP.
The bank will continue to consult closely with the international community and development partners about the situation, the official said, according to Reuters.
The bank is exploring ways to remain engaged and preserve "hard-won development gains," the official added.
The World Bank has more than two dozen development projects in the country and has provided $5.3 billion since 2002, mostly in grants, according to the bank's website.
