GIZ local staff fear for safety after Afghanistan office closure

Some Afghan employees of the German organization GIZ have expressed concerns, fearing for their safety after the organization’s office closes. GIZ has confirmed that it plans to stop employing local staff in Afghanistan by 2025.

On Sunday, October 12, local GIZ employees in Afghanistan stated that they have been negotiating with the organization’s officials to determine what will happen to Afghan staff after the office shuts down. They emphasized that during their employment contracts, they were informed that GIZ holds no responsibility for relocating Afghan employees to Germany.

One GIZ employee said, “The head of the office told staff in a meeting that there are two reasons for closing the office in Afghanistan: first, our staff are not safe, and second, the Taliban have declared our presence illegal.”

According to the employees, the Taliban has arrested at least four GIZ staff members in recent months. Three of them were released, but one remains in custody.

GIZ’s media representatives stated that the organization would end its activities in Afghanistan by 2025 and that its projects would continue through other non-governmental organizations.

GIZ is a government-affiliated aid organization from Germany that operates in 120 countries. It focuses on areas such as peace and security, economic development, job creation, energy, and the environment.

The impending closure of GIZ’s Afghanistan office raises serious concerns about its employees’ future safety and livelihood, especially given the volatile security situation and the lack of relocation guarantees.

Without a clear plan for local staff, many are left in a precarious position, vulnerable to scrutiny and arrest. International organizations must find solutions to protect their local staff in conflict zones.

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