5 global NGOs suspend operations in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): In the wake of the ban imposed on women workers of NGO, four reputed global NGOs have halted operations in Afghanistan.

On Saturday, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) asked local and international NGOs to ban female staffers.

In reaction to the Taliban move, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and CARE announced suspending their operations in the country.

In the absence of female workers, the leading aid groups argued they found it difficult to help needy Afghan children, women and men.

The Associated Press quoted the NRC chief for Afghanistan as saying: “We have complied with all cultural norms and we simply can’t work without our dedicated female staff.”

Women workers were important for NRC to access the Afghan women in desperate need of aid, Neil Turner argued, saying the council had 468 female staff in Afghanistan.

A joint statement from Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE said: “We are suspending our programmes, demanding that men and women can equally continue our lifesaving assistance in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, the International Rescue Committee, having 3,000 women workers across Afghanistan, also announced a halt to service delivery.

“For IRC, our ability to deliver services rely on female staff at all levels of our organization … If we are not allowed to employ women, we are not able to deliver to those in need.”

Separately, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned banning women from schools and NGO work in Afghanistan could result in disastrous humanitarian consequences.

Also on Sunday, the IEA scorned remarks by the US charge d’affaires, condemning the latest restrictions imposed on women by the Taliban.

IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted: “We don’t allow anyone to talk rubbish or make threats regarding the decisions of our leaders under the title of humanitarian aid.”

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