The Swedish Special Committee for Aid to Afghanistan has announced the complete cessation of its activities in Afghanistan, as reported by Etilaatroz publication on March 17. The decision comes in response to a request made by the Taliban movement, with the aim of ensuring the safety of its employees amid escalating tensions.
As per to Swedish officials, the decision to halt operations was taken to prioritize the security of their personnel following the request from the Taliban. Consequently, the organization's activities in the country will remain suspended for an indefinite period.
The move follows an earlier announcement by the Taliban, stating that any organization associated with Stockholm would face suspension in the wake of the Koran burning incident in Sweden. The Taliban emphasized that they would not reconsider their stance until Swedish authorities issue an apology to the Muslim community.
Andreas Stefansson, the general secretary of the Swedish Committee on Afghanistan, acknowledged that international aid to the organization had ceased following the Taliban's directive. Despite this setback, the Committee managed to execute some local and regional aid projects during its operational tenure.
Established four decades ago, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan has been actively involved in implementing development programs aimed at supporting vulnerable segments of the population, including women, children, and the disabled. With a workforce exceeding 6,000 employees deployed across various regions of Afghanistan, the organization has played a significant role in delivering essential aid and services to communities in need.
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