Interview on the situation of the Terre des Hommes projects in Afghanistan and Tajikistan

Two decades after their fall, the Taliban took over the power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Advanced forces and women's rights activists have to fear for their security and in many cases for their lives. We spoke to Chris Hartmann about the situation in the country, about the project work and the activities in Afghanistan and in the neighboring country of Tajikistan, speaker humanitarian aid to Terre des Hommes.

You visited Tajikistan a few weeks ago. Is that a new project country from Terre des Hommes?

Yes, because since the end of 2020 there have been planning to expand the work in the region to neighboring countries from Afghanistan. One reason is that we want to use the relatively stable security situation in Tajikistan to create exchange opportunities for our partner organizations in the region. In addition, there are strong cross -border migration movements between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. In North Afghanistan in particular, many Tajik Afghan live. In addition to the trade relationships, there are also strong cultural connections between these two countries and migration movements.

Children of Afghan refugee families in Tajikistan in particular are disadvantaged by insufficient integration. At the same time, Tajikistan is one of the poorest of the Central Asian countries that used to belong to the former Soviet Union.

Which projects support terre des hommes there?

In Tajikistan, we currently support three projects in the field of refugee aid. This includes offers such as legal advice as well as educational and training opportunities for the integration of refugees. To do this, you have to add that the infrastructure in Tajikistan in the health and education sector is inadequate, so there are hardly any schools and medical care options. In this regard, not much has improved since independence from the then Soviet Union. Therefore, another project funded by Hommes is aimed at enabling the treatment options for patients in a hospital in the north of the country.

Until the Taliban seized power, Terre des Hommes was also very committed in Afghanistan. Did you have to completely hire the project work there?

The project work had to be stopped for some time after the Taliban was taken over. Fortunately, we were able to resume project work three months later and distribute food in the project areas of our partner organizations. In the meantime, all projects can continue to continue their work as far as possible.

Aid organizations such as Terre des Hommes had to bring Afghan employees to safety after the victory of the Taliban. What is the situation like for local project staff?

According to the evacuations last year, there are currently no employees of Terre des Hommes or from partner organizations in the country who are acute. In particular, civil society actors in particular such as well -known and exposed human rights defenders and journalists are still at risk. The security situation for employees must be continuously observed. In contrast to the first Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001, work for non-governmental organizations is possible. There is still a strong presence of international actors, especially the United Nations. In addition, Terre des Hommes supports efforts to enforce a simplified recording program for Afghan refugees.

How do you rate the situation in the country at the moment? How has the situation of women changed among the new rulers?

The location results in a diffuse picture. On the political level, the Taliban government initially came up with positive confessions to respect the rights of women, but they are in clear contradiction to the practice in the various provinces. Especially for actors on the local level, it seems to be difficult to switch from fighting to government mode. The Taliban are under high pressure to provide basic services for all 38 million Afghan. At the same time, the Taliban regime is faced with another, young and more confident population than when taking power 20 years ago. These are people who have been able to achieve some freedom in recent years and no longer want to give up. This applies in particular to women.

Despite the positive commitments on the part of the Taliban, massive human rights violations occurred after taking power. If a general amnesty was promised at the national level, its implementation in the country was and is heavily dependent on local commanders. The promised openness to the participation and freedom of movement of women and ethnic minorities has not yet come true, rather there have been reorganizing in the past few months. Contrary to the original commitments, access to higher school education is largely failed. Instead, there are requirements of the Taliban to reintroduce the burqa. At the same time, however, seven provinces have given written permits for the higher school education of girls and young women.

The country is also in a severe economic and supply crisis. How does that affect people's everyday life?

Due to the massive foreign sanctions and lack of international recognition, the Taliban are faced with a severe economic crisis. Unemployment and living costs have increased massively, the economy is about to collapse. The banking crisis continues, money transfers are massively difficult. The opportunities for people to get cash are very limited, salaries for official employees cannot be paid because there is no money. The financial support of the international community, which has financed three quarters of the Afghan state budget in recent years, is now missing the Taliban at every corners and ends.

In addition, the NATO troop deduction has left a massive security vacuum. While the Taliban are disputed internally between Afghan and Pakistani groups, they are faced with strengthening ISIS groups in the country.

How does the crisis affect children's life?

The United Nations rightly point out again and again that the country threatens a great famine. Children are already massively affected. The crisis in Afghanistan is a crisis of the children: Around ten million children need humanitarian aid to survive. In addition to hunger and malnutrition, there is a risk for children and are recruited by armed warring parties. It can also be assumed that psychosocial stress and experiences of domestic violence will increase due to stress and fear for children. Adolescents are particularly at risk at home because their options for movement and action are limited and access to basic services such as health and education is denied them.

As a result of poverty, there is a risk of child labor increases and forced and early marriages by young girls.  

 

Are we the plans for the further work of Terre des Hommes in Afghanistan?

All projects can implement their work as planned for the time being and currently do not experience any massive restrictions. The vocational training of children and their psychosocial care is particularly promoted. However, the type of implementation must be adjusted - for all measures, a strict separation of boys and girls is regulation.

Women may only leave the house for a long time accompanied by husbands or male relatives (Maharam). In thematically particularly sensitive areas, for example human rights, peace and conflict work, it is necessary to adapt the terms to avoid bans from the Taliban.

What role will Tajikistan play in project work?

Working in Tajikistan offers the possibility of an increased exchange of partner organizations, because the security situation in Tajikistan is better. At the same time, more than 20,000 Afghan refugees already live in the country. Due to the security situation and humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, it can be expected that their number will increase in the following years despite the restrictive entry requirements of neighboring countries. This results in perspectives for long -term refugee work as well as for the support of disadvantaged groups in Tajikistan.