Sweden must act as global aid to Afghanistan declines
The annual meeting of the Solidarity Committee for Afghanistan urges the government to help mitigate the humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people’s right to livelihoods, healthcare and education.
The people of Afghanistan are suffering severely from poverty and oppression. Pakistan and Iran are forcing millions of refugees back into Afghanistan, worsening the already dire situation. Hundreds of thousands have already crossed the border, and the scarce resources are not enough. Half of the country’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance, and millions lack access to basic public services. The effects of climate change are increasingly evident through recurring droughts and floods. International sanctions and the isolation of the de facto authorities are impacting the civilian population.
The restrictions on women’s education and participation in society are a violation of their most fundamental rights. The de facto authorities have a responsibility for the country’s population and must prioritise the expansion of essential public services and ensure respect for the rights and freedoms of girls and women.
Several countries are reducing aid
The sudden aid cuts by the US administration have catastrophic consequences, while support from other donor countries is also being reduced. It is estimated that millions of children in Afghanistan will suffer from severe malnutrition this year, especially since the US has ended its support for the nutrition programme. The US has also withdrawn its support for maternal healthcare for millions of women and for efforts to combat gender-based violence. Hundreds of midwifery clinics have already closed in rural villages.
Sweden cannot stand idly by. Sweden’s foreign and aid policy has long championed human rights, gender equality, and international solidarity.
The Solidarity Committee for Afghanistan urges the government to:
- Promptly present a plan for how Sweden can help alleviate the crisis in Afghanistan.
- Decide on a long-term strategy for supporting Afghanistan so that people can lift themselves out of poverty through secure livelihood opportunities and access to public services such as education and healthcare.
- Actively contribute to breaking the deadlock in the multilateral system’s relations with the de facto authorities in Afghanistan.
Annual Meeting of the Solidarity Committee for Afghanistan
Uddevalla, 25 May 2025