- Afghanistan is experiencing a very deteriorating security situation, which affects mainly the civilian population. This means that we are now starting the temporary closure and evacuation of our embassy in Kabul. In this situation, the responsibility for the safety of our employees is very heavy. At the same time, we will continue our extensive efforts for Afghanistan, says Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide
The embassy closure is temporary and Norway will re-open the embassy in Kabul when the situation permits. The measures we are introducing are in line with those currently being implemented by several other countries.
The government has decided that Norway will ensure the safety of the local embassy staff in Kabulu
Embassy staff are brought to Norway. This applies to both seconded diplomats and locally employed Afghans with immediate family who wish to do so. The government decided that Norway would ensure the safety of local staff embassy in Kabul by enabling the transfer of such personnel to Norway.
- We take responsibility for those who work at the embassy, so it was important to introduce what was necessary so that our local employees and their immediate family could come to Norway at the same time as we export our diplomats, says the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
The government has decided that local workers who are allowed to come to Norway count towards the resettlement quota for refugees. There is close cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the immigration authorities in order to relocate these families to Norway. There is a clear framework for this scheme.
The embassy will no longer provide consular assistance
As of March 23, 2018, Norwegian authorities advise against all travel and stay in Afghanistan. From August 4 this year we also encourage citizens Norway to leave from this country. As long as the embassy in Kabul is closed, we will not be able to provide consular assistance to Norwegian citizens in this country.
Norway continues its engagement in Afghanistan
There are dramatic shocks in Afghanistan and the international community will have to deal with the Taliban's takeover of large areas of land, including several large cities and population centers. The Taliban has the primary responsibility for upholding international humanitarian law and respecting human rights, including the rights of women and girls, and the right to education. This is a message that Norway makes clear to all parties to the conflict.
- Norway expressed strong concern about the high level of violence as a result the Taliban's military offensive and clearly condemned violence against the civilian population. Norway also took the initiative of the joint UN Security Council to convey the same message. Together with the international community, we continue to support political processes and put pressure on the parties to contribute to lasting peace solutions, says Eriksen Søreide.
The security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated sharply
More and more people are in dire need of shelter, food and medicine. Many people flee and many flee to neighboring countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant contact with Norwegian humanitarian organizations, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross to identify needs and planned responses.
- This year, we have allocated NOK 1,5 billion to the World Food Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This is an increase of NOK 800 million compared to last year. These funds will allow organizations to react quickly and help in situations like what is currently in Afghanistan, says Ine Eriksen Søreide.
Afghanistan is one of Norway's largest aid recipients. We are currently assessing whether we should restructure some funds to meet more emerging urgent needs
