Western Union resumes money transfer services to Afghanistan

Western Union Co. has resumed money-transfer services to Afghanistan, after suspending its operations in the Central Asian country two weeks ago as the Taliban advanced on Kabul.

Western Union and MoneyGram International Inc, another global remittance provider, suspended services in Afghanistan earlier last month as the security situation in the capital deteriorated.

“Western Union is pleased to announce that it is resuming its money transfer services into Afghanistan, enabling customers from 200 countries and territories to once again send money to their loved ones in the country.”

The company also said it would offer a two-week, $0 transfer fee for all money transfers into Afghanistan from September 3 to 17.

This week banks in Afghanistan reopened, paving the way for money-transfer firms to be able to conduct their services and dispense and collect funds.

Western Union’s president for Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said a push by the United States to facilitate humanitarian aid to the Afghan people had given the company confidence to restart its operations.

“Much of our business involving Afghanistan is low-value family and support remittances that support basic needs of the people there, so that’s the grounding that we have and why we want to reopen our business.”

The flow of funds from migrant workers overseas is a key lifeline for many Afghans, and has helped the economy of one of the world’s poorest countries get through years of conflict and political and economic instability.

The United Nations says about half of the Afghan population requires aid amid the second drought in four years.

However, Western Union said money will be paid out in US dollars or Afghanistan’s currency, the afghani, and payout will only be available in some locations, mostly in Kabul.

Meanwhile, outbound services sending money outside of the country- are currently suspended.

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Kamila/Reuters