ICRC workers, including women, are free to continue operations in Afghanistan.
Keystone / Stringer
Taliban leaders have assured the International Committee of the Red Cross that it can continue its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, according to ICRC president Peter Maurer.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
On Sunday, Maurer told the Le Matin Dimanche newspaper that he has been “well received” during a three-day visit to the war-torn country. Maurer met with Taliban officials, including the regime’s health minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. “We’ll have to see how it evolves, but it was a good interview,” Maurer said.
Maurer said he was impressed with the Taliban’s professionalism in the field of healthcare. He visited ICRC sites in Kandahar and Lashkargah in addition to Kabul.
Many, but not all, Afghans Maurer spoke to told him that the situation is much safer than it was two months’ ago.
“The violence and insecurity that had lasted for many years seem to have come to an end,” Maurer said. “The people I spoke with felt both fear and relief.”
The Taliban have also agreed to allow female ICRC workers to carry on with their work in the country, Maurer said. “To a large extent, this principle is respected.”
The ICRC has maintained a dialogue with the Taliban for three decades, through several phases in Afghanistan’s recent history. The NGO intends to focus its activities on health, drinking water and assistance to the most vulnerable in the troubled country.
One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity
This content was published on
On average, the Swiss consume 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity per year. According to Velobiz.de, this is roughly equivalent to the amount generated by all 176 cyclists in the Tour de France during the entire race.
Outgoing ICRC chief in Ukraine defends neutrality amid war
This content was published on
Swiss national Jürg Eglin, outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine, reflects on his tenure.
Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy
This content was published on
The Green Party delegates' meeting opened on Saturday morning in Vicques (JU) with a speech by party president Lisa Mazzone. Mazzone took particular aim at the Federal Council's policy towards the United States.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
This content was published on
A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
This content was published on
JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
Famine confirmed in Gaza for first time, says UN-backed report
This content was published on
Famine has been declared in a northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system.
Zurich Airport ground handling staff to strike on Friday
This content was published on
Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
This content was published on
Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
ICRC counts on dialogue with Taliban in Afghanistan
This content was published on
The ICRC is counting on talks with the Taliban to be able to continue its work in Afghanistan, says its president, Peter Maurer.
This content was published on
The most recent events in Afghanistan have grabbed the attention of the world. Many of those scenes bring with them a sense of heartbreak.
This content was published on
The government on Wednesday approved an additional CHF33 million ($36 million) to bolster aid on the ground and alleviate the suffering of the Afghan population. In all, Switzerland has earmarked CHF60 million for Afghanistan over the next 16 months. “The top priority is to protect and care for displaced persons in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries,” the government said in a statement. …
Afghanistan: aid agencies reaffirm their commitment
This content was published on
Aid agencies in Afghanistan are continuing to work. The UN says it has no plans to reduce its staff neither does the ICRC.
Taliban revoke ban on Red Cross and provide security guarantees
This content was published on
The Taliban has revoked their ban on the Geneva-based ICRC in Afghanistan and given a guarantee of security for its staff.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.