The Taliban are sabotaging development aid in their own country. Their decision to ban women from working in NGOs puts human lives at risk. Millions of people are already facing famine and more than half of the population needs humanitarian aid to survive. “We will lose them, they will die,” warned Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International. In recent days, the first aid organizations have had to withdraw from supporting the poorest. Because the Islamists prevent midwives, doctors and social workers from working.
Germany temporarily suspends humanitarian aid
What’s next? The federal government, which annually invests some 30 million Swiss francs in projects in Afghanistan, is also wondering. Germany has announced that it will not approve any further funds for humanitarian aid in the kingdom of the holy warriors for the time being. An option that is also being discussed by the federal government. Pierre-Alain Eltschinger of the Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA): “There are far-reaching questions about how and whether the important emergency and survival assistance can and should be continued under these circumstances.”
The possible consequences of these decisions for the suffering population are dramatic. Neither Switzerland nor any other country will cut them lightly, says Eltschinger. “Switzerland is in close consultation with donor countries, the UN and their local partners on how to proceed.”
EDA held several talks with the Taliban
Whether and how much Swiss money goes to local projects will probably depend on how aid organizations can continue their work in Afghanistan. If the Taliban uphold the ban unconditionally, many NGOs will have to cease their activities.
Behind the scenes, Western donor states are trying to persuade the Taliban to reconsider. Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, Switzerland has also had several contacts with the new rulers in Kabul.
State Department spokesman Eltschinger confirmed to SonntagsBlick: “The FDFA has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the drastic decisions directly in talks with Taliban representatives.”
The Taliban has been asked to reverse measures that curtail the rights of women, girls and minorities. In May 2022, there was even a face-to-face meeting between representatives of the federal government and the Taliban in the Qatari capital Doha.
ICRC concerned about work ban
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is one of the main aid organizations in Afghanistan. The Swiss Lucien Christen is in Kabul as a media spokesperson. He says: “We are very concerned about the recent announcement by the Taliban.”
It is not yet clear how the ban on women’s work will affect the work of the ICRC. “At the moment, all our activities are continuing.” However, in order to continue to provide emergency aid, the unrestricted participation of women is necessary. “The exclusion of women from humanitarian work will have catastrophic consequences.” It would be very devastating to the healthcare system, which would collapse without helpers.
Meanwhile, pressure on the Taliban is mounting. After the UN Security Council, the EU and twelve other countries have now called on the Islamists to immediately lift the ban on women working in NGOs.
They are “deeply concerned”, says a joint statement, in which Switzerland also participated.