SCA partially pauses activities in Afghanistan

On July 11, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the de facto authorities, issued a directive suspending “all of Sweden’s activities in Afghanistan”. Consequently, some activities of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), have been paused. SCA said in a statement on Tuesday 18th of July.

SCA stands firm in its commitment to support the Afghan people and will do its utmost to secure the necessary approvals to promptly resume operations. We continue to seek engagement and dialogue with authorities at regional and national levels to find a way forward. Meanwhile, office staff have been requested to work from home.

SCA says, Last year, they received 2,5 million patient visits in our clinics in Wardak and Nuristan. 133 000 children received education in our schools and more than 20 000 people with disabilities were supported. SCA employs over 8 000 Afghans across 18 provinces.

SCA is a non-governmental organization established in 1980 as a solidarity movement, from people to people, to support Afghans’ right to self-determination. SCA is not a Swedish government entity. The statement added.

SCA is independent and impartial in relation to all political stakeholders and states and is funded by a broad range of donors. For over 40 years, SCA has been working in close collaboration with the rural population and in deep respect of both Islam and local traditions in Afghanistan.

SCA strongly condemns all acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, just as we condemn any attempt to create conflict or hostility between people based on religious belief, ethnicity, nationality, or any other division.

JHK