Norwegian Committee Stresses Continued Humanitarian Aid and Support for Disabled People in Afghanistan
The head of the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee announced that the organization will continue its humanitarian aid in Afghanistan regardless of political considerations and emphasized the urgent need for practical support for people with disabilities.
Tyria Waterdal, speaking at a meeting on supporting education for persons with disabilities in Kabul on Sunday, July 18, said more action is needed to meet the needs of this group. She stressed that their dignity and human rights must be fully respected. She underlined the importance of focusing on the abilities and talents of people with disabilities rather than their limitations.
The Norwegian Committee chief referred to the consequences of over four decades of war in Afghanistan, describing addressing the situation of people with disabilities as a shared responsibility. She also highlighted the necessity for sustained cooperation between national and international organizations in this field.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various national and international bodies and organizations supporting people with disabilities. In recent years, aid agencies have repeatedly warned that people with disabilities in Afghanistan face challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare services, and employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Taliban officials stated that the purpose of this meeting was to create educational opportunities, improve the quality of technical and vocational training, and strengthen collaborations. Ghulam Saeed Ehsas, deputy head of the Taliban’s Technical and Vocational Education Department, claimed that providing educational opportunities for all community members, especially people with disabilities, is a priority for his administration.
The Taliban’s Technical and Vocational Education Department has announced that the number of special education centers for people with disabilities has reached 36. With the expansion of these centers, access to technical and vocational education has increased. However, disability advocacy organizations consistently emphasize the need for greater investment and the removal of practical barriers in this sector.
The Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC) has been operating in the country since 1980, working in areas such as healthcare, education, support for people with disabilities, and rural development. Afghanistan is among the countries with a high disability rate due to years of conflict; United Nations estimates indicate that about 1.5 million people in the country live with significant disabilities.
