In Kabul, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), a major humanitarian organization, announced on Wednesday that it has temporarily halted some of its operations. This decision comes in response to a recent order from the Taliban, which called for all Swedish activities in Afghanistan to cease following the burning of a Koran in Stockholm last month. However, it remains unclear which institutions are affected by this order.
After engaging in discussions with the Taliban administration, the SCA stated, “Some activities of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) have been paused.” This organization plays a vital role throughout the country, employing thousands of Afghans who work in health, education, and rural development. Last year alone, their health clinics treated 2.5 million patients.
While the SCA did not disclose the exact number of paused operations, they are actively seeking approval to resume their activities as soon as possible. On the other hand, the Taliban-run economy ministry, responsible for overseeing non-governmental organizations, has yet to comment on the matter.
The aid sector in Afghanistan has already faced significant challenges due to various restrictions, including those imposed on female aid workers. Additionally, the decrease in funding for the United Nations-led annual humanitarian plan suggests that donor countries are scaling back their financial support.
Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Editing by Sharon Singleton.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
