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Switzerland to reopen humanitarian aid office in Kabul
Switzerland plans to reopen a humanitarian aid office in Kabul by summer 2024, Swiss media reported.
According to the plans, local employees are also expected to join the office, as confirmed by Léa Zürcher, the spokeswoman for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to an enquiry from the Keystone-SDA news agency. She confirmed a report from the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs explained that the presence of an office in Kabul would allow a better understanding of the situation on the ground. It would also facilitate the monitoring of projects and close coordination with other donor countries. Switzerland hopes that this will lead to more effective support for the civilian population.
Switzerland had previously operated a cooperation office in Kabul until August 2021, implementing Swiss development aid programs in Afghanistan. However, following the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) takeover and the withdrawal of the US and its allies from Afghanistan, the Swiss government closed the office.
According to Sonntagsblick, the new office is planned to be set up at the previous location—in the former “Green Zone” of Kabul, where many Western embassies were once situated.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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