The United Nations says more than half of the population – about 22 million people – is facing severe hunger, while another 5.7 million displaced Afghans in five neighboring countries need significant assistance this year. “A complete humanitarian catastrophe is spreading. My message is urgent: do not close the door on the people of Afghanistan,” said Martin Griffiths, UN Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The economic crisis in Afghanistan escalated after the Taliban seized power in August, when the former Western-backed government collapsed and US troops withdrew. International aid to Afghanistan has been cut off and billions of dollars of the country’s financial assets have been frozen abroad, most of them in the United States.

In a White House statement Tuesday, Horne said the United States was “committed to supporting the Afghan people and we will continue to consider all options available to us.”

“We stand with the people of Afghanistan,” he added. USAID, meanwhile, called on the Taliban to “allow all aid workers, especially women, to work freely and safely” as humanitarian groups appear to be assisting those in need. The agency said in a statement that the United States had “unconditional humanitarian access to the Taliban, safe havens for humanitarians, free aid to all vulnerable people and freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders.”

The decision by the United States and the international community not to recognize the Taliban government has created a dilemma for Western powers over how to provide adequate aid without legitimizing the group or putting money directly into its hands. The Taliban has called on the international community to release funds and help prevent humanitarian catastrophe. State employees, from doctors to teachers and administrative government employees, have not been paid for months, while banks have limited the amount that account holders can withdraw.