Hundreds of millions Uncovered to fund “irrigation canals" Afghanistan

The funding of 'irrigation canals' in Afghanistan, amounting to hundreds of millions, has stirred controversy due to its potential misuse by the Taliban, especially in supporting opium production alongside its intended goal of enhancing agricultural productivity.

The Craziest part about this, many of links relating to this topic

usaid.gov/afghanistan/agriculture-and-food-security

sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-16-42-AR.pdf

nytimes.com/2015/03/11/world/asia/us-aid-to-afghanistan-often-ends-up-in-taliban-hands.html

reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-opium/u-s-aid-program-in-afghanistan-struggles-to-wean-farmers-off-opium-idUSKBN0M715J20150310

crsreports.congress.gov

have been taken down...

History of USAID Operations in Afganistan and Recent Alegations 

USAID's involvement in Afghanistan increased significantly after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, focusing on reconstruction and development. During the Bush administration, efforts were directed towards stabilizing the country post-Taliban, with projects in health, education, and agriculture under Andrew Natsios. Under Obama, with Rajiv Shah at the helm, USAID broadened its scope with initiatives like the Alternative Development Program/North (ADP/N) and Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Productive Agriculture Plus (AVIPA+) to diversify agricultural products.

Hundreds of millions of dollars to fund “irrigation canals, farming equipment, and even fertilizer used to support the unprecedented poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan,” benefiting the Taliban  Afghanistan has been and continues to be a major hub for opium and heroin.

• Effectiveness and Oversight: There have been criticisms regarding how well USAID projects are managed, with funds often not reaching their intended recipients or projects remaining unfinished.
• Alleged Misuse of Funds: Claims have surfaced that some aid inadvertently supported the opium trade, as funds for agricultural development might have indirectly benefited poppy cultivation.
• Agricultural Development: Aimed at improving food security, these programs involved providing seeds, fertilizers, and technical assistance to farmers. Projects like ADP/N and AVIPA+ were designed to support alternative crops to reduce opium production.
  

However, the effectiveness and oversight of these projects may have been involved in more nefarious schemes under President Joe Biden.

USAID Doors shut after Elon Musk and DOGE Investigation

The U.S. Agency for International Development  (USAID)  has come under scrutiny by the Department of Government Efficiency  (DOGE) under the Trump-Musk administration, highlighting several instances of what they describe as "WASTE and ABUSE" within the agency's programs. Here are some things that have already been discovered.

$1.5 million to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities”

$70,000 for production of a “DEI musical” in Ireland

$2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam

$47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia

$32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru

$2 million for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Guatemala

$6 million to fund tourism in Egypt

source. 

Hundreds of thousands of dollars for a non-profit linked to designated terrorist organizations — even AFTER an inspector general launched an investigation

Millions to EcoHealth Alliance — which was involved in research at the Wuhan lab

USAID POPPYSEED PRODUCTION OUT OF AFGHANISTAN:

Over recent years, the average annual production of opium poppy in Afghanistan has fluctuated significantly due to various factors including political changes, international intervention, and policy shifts. Before the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, Afghanistan was producing around 6,000 to 9,000 metric tones of opium annually.

However, following the Taliban's strict ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022, there was a dramatic decrease, with cultivation dropping by approximately 95% from 2022 to 2023 as per UNODC reports, which translates to a reduction from about 6,200 tones to 333 tones of opium. This has significantly impacted heroin production, which previously could have been up to 320 tonnes of pure heroin from the opium harvest.

Before the recent drastic reduction under Taliban rule, Afghanistan indeed supplied over 80% of the world's illicit opium, making it the de facto center for heroin production. Afghanistan has been and continues to be a major hub for opium and heroin.

WHY IS USAID BEING INVESTIGATED ?

The Department of Government Efficiency recently launched an investigation into the operations and practices of USAID, aiming to scrutinize its efficiency in managing programs and funds. This endeavor underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that federal agencies, particularly those involved in international aid, are held accountable for their financial management and program effectiveness.

"Trump plans to visit Helene-ravaged Western NC as part of first trips of second term." aol.com, 21. Jan. 2025, https://www.aol.com/trump-plans-visit-helene-ravaged-175144447.html. Accessed 22. Jan 2025.

"President Trump to visit WNC on Friday to assess post-Helene recovery efforts." fox28savannah.com, 21. Jan. 2025, https://fox28savannah.com/news/nation-world/president-donald-trump-visit-western-north-carolina-new-york-post-friday-assess-post-hurricane-helene-recovery-efforts-four-months-later. Accessed 22. Jan 2025.



"Trump to visit western North Carolina in first week back in office." wral.com, 21. Jan. 2025, https://www.wral.com/story/trump-to-visit-western-north-carolina-in-first-week-back-in-office/21819045/. Accessed 22. Jan 2025.