KABUL — The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has suspended all U.S.-funded mine clearance operations in Afghanistan and 11 other countries following an executive order by President Trump to freeze all U.S. foreign assistance for an 85-day review period, according to a statement by the organization.
The statement said that the U.S. Department of State directed NPA to immediately halt activities supported by American funding, affecting demining and disarmament efforts in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Kosovo, Laos, Palau, Peru, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen. Other NPA programs not reliant on U.S. funding will continue.
The statement said that NPA, which received approximately $41 million in U.S. government funding in 2024, warned that the suspension would disrupt vital mine clearance work in Afghanistan, where decades of conflict have left the country littered with unexploded ordnance. According to the organization, nearly 7,000 people worldwide were killed or injured by landmines and cluster munitions in 2023.
The funding freeze has already forced NPA to terminate operations in Iraq, Palau, and Tajikistan, where U.S. grants were set to expire during the review period. The organization has confirmed that no grant extensions will be allowed, meaning some contracts must be terminated. Affected staff in these countries will continue receiving salaries and benefits during their contractually mandated notice period.
While awaiting further guidance from U.S. authorities, NPA said it remains in dialogue with American officials and other stakeholders in hopes of resuming its work.
“We regret having to issue termination notices to our competent and motivated staff,” NPA said in a statement. “We hope that the current freeze in our U.S.-funded mine action programs is resolved quickly and that affected staff can be brought back onto NPA contracts.”
The aid organization said it is preparing for various scenarios and working closely with country offices to minimize disruptions.
“In this challenging period, NPA’s focus is to take care of all our staff,” the statement concluded.
