The United States spent $144 billion on rebuilding Afghanistan over two decades, yet millions of Afghans continue to face hunger, unemployment, and economic instability. This was revealed in the final report released by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). The report reviews America’s war and reconstruction efforts from 2001 to 2021 and presents a detailed account of spending, outcomes, and long-term failures.
Despite one of the largest reconstruction efforts in modern history, the report concludes that the impact on everyday Afghan lives remained limited. Structural weaknesses, corruption, and poor oversight undermined many initiatives meant to stabilize the country.
Massive Reconstruction Spending With Limited Results
According to the SIGAR report, the United States allocated $144 billion specifically for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. These funds were used for infrastructure development, governance reforms, economic programs, and building state institutions. The aim was to create a stable and self-sustaining Afghan state.
However, the report notes that many projects were poorly planned and inadequately monitored. In several cases, programs failed to account for local realities. As a result, funds did not reach the communities most in need. Schools, roads, and public services were often left incomplete or unsustainable.
SIGAR highlighted that corruption within Afghan government institutions played a major role in these failures. Development funds were frequently misused or lost due to weak accountability. This prevented long-term progress despite continuous international support.
The report also states that the overall financial burden of the Afghanistan war exceeded that of the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe after World War II and is often cited as one of the most successful recovery programs in history.
Afghan Security Forces Built, Then Collapsed
A major portion of US reconstruction spending went toward building Afghanistan’s security forces. Nearly $90 billion was invested in training, equipping, and sustaining the Afghan army and police. The goal was to create a modern force capable of defending the country independently.
The Afghan forces were supplied with 147,000 vehicles, 427,000 weapons, and 162 aircraft. Despite these resources, the security apparatus collapsed rapidly after the US withdrawal in 2021. The fall of Kabul marked the end of the US-backed government.
According to the report, US forces left behind military equipment worth $7.1 billion. Much of this equipment was later seized by the Taliban. SIGAR described the collapse as evidence of deep institutional weaknesses and overreliance on foreign support.
Aid Continued Even After Taliban Takeover
The SIGAR report also revealed that US financial involvement did not end after the Taliban regained control. Between 2021 and 2024, the United States provided $3.83 billion in aid to Afghanistan. This assistance was delivered through humanitarian and international channels.
International donors contributed an additional $8.1 billion during the same period. Despite this continued funding, the humanitarian situation worsened. Millions of Afghans now face food insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship.
The report emphasizes that ordinary citizens continue to suffer the consequences of decades of conflict. Hunger and poverty remain widespread. Economic activity has sharply declined since the withdrawal.
SIGAR concluded that unrealistic goals, corruption, and lack of coordination severely weakened reconstruction efforts. While vast sums were spent, the absence of sustainable planning left Afghanistan struggling long after the war ended.
