HealthNet TPO, alongside other Dutch organisations working closely in Afghanistan, has sent a letter to the Dutch Government calling upon them to continue to provide support to the Afghan people for health, agriculture and education.
To the members of the Tweede Kamer
Over the past twenty years, the Netherlands has been actively involved in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, due to the recent seizure of power by the Taliban, this has suddenly ended. However, the need to continue supporting the Afghan people remains unaffected.
As organisations that are closely involved in development activities in Afghanistan, we understand the dilemma facing the Dutch government. On the one hand, care should be taken so that support or activities are not seen as a recognition of the Taliban, or out of step with the rest of the international community. On the other hand, we should be able to continue to assist the Afghan people, to secure the positive achievements made over the past twenty years.
That is why we advocate that the Netherlands, in accordance with the EU formulated framework conditions for providing aid to Afghanistan, make efforts to provide activities that: (i) are directly related to the needs of the Afghan people; (ii) build on the Netherlands’ previous efforts in Afghanistan; (iii) may be carried out by non-governmental and private organisations; and (iv) do not directly support or imply support to the new government. Further, this is done with a long-term vision that is based on Afghan needs, with recognition that change cannot be made from above, but only fed from below.
In addition to addressing needs in the short term, it is necessary to quickly halt deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan. Therefore, we call on the Dutch government for development efforts to focus on the triangle of healthcare, agriculture, and education. This builds on previous Dutch-supported activities, using and expanding the networks and expertise that have been established over many years (and which are still largely present after the recent change of power), ensuring that the cooperation between the Netherlands and Afghanistan does not suddenly fall. The need for support in these three areas is great in a country where 70% of the population is dependent on agriculture, a 60% of the population is illiterate, and out of every ten new-borns four are needlessly dying in the first year of life.
The traditional 3D approach of recent years does not apply in today’s Afghanistan. Defence no longer has a role to play, but the D of Determination does (or Perseverance). As a result, we, the Netherlands, will stand proudly in our support to the Afghan people in a way and within a time frame that reflects the often harsh reality of Afghan society, and on the themes where the Netherlands can offer real added value. If this means that the Netherlands should take a leading role in the international community, we would welcome this wholeheartedly.
Ab Emmerzaal, Secretary General Dutch Committee for Afghanistan Hans Grootendorst, Director HealthNet TPO Mirwais Momand, CEO MIDO Dairy Production Hans van Otterloo, Project Manager Wageningen UR Yannick du Pont, CEO SPARK Willem van de Put, Director Culture4Change Mark Schneiders, Director of KIT Royal Tropical Institute Marten Treffers, Country Director Afghanistan Cordaid
Read the full letter (in Dutch) here.
