The Switzerland government intends to launch its humanitarian aid office in Kabul by the summer of 2024, featuring the deployment of four members from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit.
As per the recent proposals, the inclusion of local staff within the office has been outlined, a confirmation provided by Léa Zürcher, the spokesperson for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to an inquiry from the Keystone-SDA news agency. This affirmation aligns with a report disclosed by the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs elucidated that the establishment of a humanitarian aid office in Kabul is geared towards enhancing situational comprehension on the ground, facilitating project oversight, and fostering close collaboration with other donor nations. Switzerland aspires to bolster the efficacy of its support to the civilian population through these strategic measures.
It is emphasized that the office will not extend consular services, and Afghan nationals seeking visas are directed to continue their application processes at the Swiss embassy in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
While specific details regarding security protocols were not divulged by the department, Zürcher acknowledged the persisting complexity of the security landscape. Nonetheless, extensive security measures are envisaged to mitigate risks to the maximum extent feasible.
Switzerland had previously maintained a cooperation office in Kabul until August 2021, executing Swiss development aid initiatives in Afghanistan. After the Taliban assumed control and the withdrawal of the USA and its allies from Afghanistan, the Swiss government opted to close the office.
According to Sonntagsblick, the prospective office is slated to be reinstated at its prior location, situated in the former “Green Zone” of Kabul, where numerous Western embassies were formerly situated.
