US eases restrictions on sending aid to famine-hit Afghanistan

Backing is also given to UN resolution exempting most aid from threat of sanctions

The US has eased its restrictions on mainstream humanitarian aid reaching famine-stricken Afghanistan and backed a UN security council resolution exempting most aid from the threat of sanctions.

The US Treasury followed up the UN resolution by broadening the definition of permitted humanitarian assistance to include education - including salary payments to teachers - and to permit a broader use of US funds received by aid organisations working inside Afghanistan.