RASC News Agency: The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan has officially announced the suspension of its operations within the country, attributing its withdrawal to the Taliban’s closure of its offices. In a statement released on Tuesday, January 21, the organization declared that it would continue its activities under the new name “Committee for Solidarity with Afghanistan,” operating exclusively from outside Afghanistan. The closure of the organization’s offices has resulted in the loss of employment for 7,000 individuals.
Earlier this year, in April, the Taliban suspended the Swedish Committee’s activities in response to the burning of the Quran in Sweden. The committee had long provided essential humanitarian aid to Afghanistani citizens, maintaining neutrality and refraining from any direct confrontation with the Taliban. At the time of its suspension, the Swedish Committee revealed that its departure, after over four decades of uninterrupted service in Afghanistan, would result in 7,000 staff members across 16 provinces losing their livelihoods.
The organization also highlighted that the cessation of its operations would deprive hundreds of thousands of Afghanistanis of critical healthcare, education, and infrastructure support. Last month, the Taliban announced that foreign humanitarian organizations unwilling to submit to their oversight would face closure. Following this directive, several organizations either voluntarily ceased operations or were forcibly shut down by the Taliban. Humanitarian agencies have frequently accused the Taliban of interfering in aid delivery and creating obstacles during distribution efforts.
Furthermore, the Taliban have faced widespread allegations of redirecting humanitarian assistance to benefit their members and affiliates, leaving many vulnerable communities without essential support.
