The German International Cooperation Agency, known as GIZ, announced plans to withdraw all its German employees from Afghanistan.
According to German media, the agency’s spokesperson stated that future GIZ projects in Afghanistan will be implemented through non-governmental organizations.
Germany’s RND reported that starting in 2025, GIZ will no longer employ local staff in Afghanistan. The contracts for the current 160 local employees will conclude by the end of this year, reports say.
GIZ has been operating in Afghanistan since 2002, contributing to sectors such as healthcare, education, and basic services.
While GIZ has not provided a specific reason for this decision, the announcement follows the Taliban’s suspension of operations by the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan.
Over the past three years, particularly after the Taliban banned women from working in non-governmental organizations, many international agencies have faced significant operational challenges. The United Nations has also reported Taliban interference in humanitarian aid efforts.
