KABUL, Afghanistan — The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) has transferred most of its operations in the country to the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC), the SCA announced on Tuesday.
The decision follows a directive from the Taliban on July 11, 2023, which ordered the cessation of all activities linked to Sweden. The move came in response to Quran burnings in Sweden—acts that the SCA publicly condemned and distanced itself from, the organization said in a statement.
Program transition
NAC has assumed control of the disability program previously run by SCA, as well as initiatives for training and mentoring midwives, the statement said.
SCA’s former clinics and hospitals have been handed over to other organizations, while educational activities have been transferred to provincial education authorities.
Continued support
The SCA emphasized its commitment to supporting NAC in securing funding for the programs it has inherited. Simultaneously, the organization is seeking new ways to assist the Afghan population.
“Our work in Sweden to strengthen popular and political engagement for the people of Afghanistan continues through our membership movement, donors, and our communication and advocacy efforts,” the SCA said.
July suspension
Taliban, in July 2023, announced the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan in response to the desecration of the Holy Quran during a protest in Stockholm.
The Taliban’s directive required Sweden to acknowledge the suspension and demanded an official apology for “insulting the Holy Quran and the Muslim faith.”
Following the Taliban’s July 11 directive, which ordered the cessation of “all of Sweden’s activities in Afghanistan,” the SCA temporarily halted some of its operations while it sought the necessary approvals to resume its critical services.
SCA’s impact
The SCA focuses on providing education and healthcare services in Afghanistan. In the previous year, SCA-operated clinics in Wardak and Nuristan provinces reported approximately 2.5 million patient visits. Moreover, SCA’s educational programs reached over 133,000 children.
The organization also extended vital support to more than 20,000 individuals with disabilities, employing over 8,000 Afghans across 18 provinces.
Founded in 1980, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan is a non-governmental entity dedicated to supporting Afghans’ rights to self-determination. Its operations have been supported by a variety of donors, contributing to its longstanding commitment to improving Afghan society.
