Afghan Voice Agency (AWA) - Kabul: The organization's statement said that the US Department of State has ordered the immediate suspension of all activities related to US financial assistance due to Donald Trump's executive order to suspend foreign aid for an 85-day review period.
The Norwegian People's Aid Organization said that following this order, mine and munitions clearance activities have been suspended in 12 countries, including Afghanistan.
The organization added that mine clearance is an effective measure to reduce global poverty and promote security, economic development and stability.
The Norwegian People's Aid Organization said that mines and other weapons left over from war pose a serious threat to people, livelihoods and post-conflict development.
The United Nations says three million people in Afghanistan live within a one-kilometer radius of mines and explosive remnants of war.
In the last three months of 2024 alone, 64 people were killed or injured by mines and explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan, most of them children, according to a new report by UNAMA’s human rights division.
According to the Norwegian People’s Aid Organization, there were nearly 7,000 casualties from landmines and cluster munitions worldwide in 2023.
The organization noted that mine clearance falls under the US Security Assistance Program and is an activity that has historically enjoyed bipartisan support in the United States.
The Norwegian People’s Aid Organization said that in 2024, it received almost $41 million in funding from US government agencies for its activities.
The organization expressed hope that the new US administration will continue its support.
Previously, officials from the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Economy said that the activities of 50 aid organizations in Afghanistan had been suspended following the suspension of US financial assistance.
It was said that these organizations were working in the fields of disaster relief, social protection, health, agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump suspended the country’s financial assistance to most countries in the world, including Afghanistan, for three months to review whether this assistance was in line with his policies.
It has been reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently exempted food and life-saving aid from this suspension.