Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

February 11, 2022

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)

Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 *et seq.*), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 *et seq.*), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency with respect to the widespread humanitarian crisis in Afghanistanâincluding the urgent needs of the people of Afghanistan for food security, livelihoods support, water, sanitation, health, hygiene, shelter and settlement assistance, and COVIDâ19-related assistance, among other basic human needsâand the potential for a deepening economic collapse in Afghanistan. In addition, I find that the preservation of certain property of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) held in the United States by United States financial institutions is of the utmost importance to addressing this national emergency and the welfare of the people of Afghanistan.

In order to address this national emergency, the Executive Order blocks all property and interests in property of DAB that are held in the United States by any United States financial institution, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and compels the transfer of the blocked property into a consolidated account held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Kamala D. Harris, President of the Senate. An original was not available for verification of the content of this letter.

Categories: Communications to Congress : Afghanistan, protecting certain property of Da Afghanistan Bank, letter.

Subjects: Afghanistan : Da Afghanistan Ban, U.S. seizure of assets held in U.S.; Afghanistan : Humanitarian crisis.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200084.

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