Switzerland to reopen humanitarian aid office in Kabul

Switzerland plans to reopen a humanitarian aid office in Kabul by summer 2024, Swiss media reported.

According to the plans, local employees are also expected to join the office, as confirmed by Léa Zürcher, the spokeswoman for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to an enquiry from the Keystone-SDA news agency. She confirmed a report from the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs explained that the presence of an office in Kabul would allow a better understanding of the situation on the ground. It would also facilitate the monitoring of projects and close coordination with other donor countries. Switzerland hopes that this will lead to more effective support for the civilian population.

Switzerland had previously operated a cooperation office in Kabul until August 2021, implementing Swiss development aid programs in Afghanistan. However, following the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) takeover and the withdrawal of the US and its allies from Afghanistan, the Swiss government closed the office.

According to Sonntagsblick, the new office is planned to be set up at the previous location—in the former “Green Zone” of Kabul, where many Western embassies were once situated.