There is always dire need for humanitarian aid when there is an armed conflict. People living in areas affected by the conflict need humanitarian assistance and operations of aid agencies even if parties to the conflict comply with the law of war or the rules of engagement. In the absence of relief agencies, the affected families are often deprived of their very basic human rights contrary to all international laws and norms.
The Taliban have decided to ban operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in areas under the group’s control. The insurgents have claimed that the two organizations had not stuck to the commitments they had made with them.
Following the announcement, ICRC and WHO have suspended their activities in the country, insisting the suspension will continue unless the Taliban reinstate security guarantees for their employees. Creating obstacles for relief agencies by the Taliban, especially at a critical time when fighting is intensifying day by day, is a matter of serious concern. The relief operations of these international groups are very important and often lifesaving in an armed conflict, as they are the only sources of basic and emergency aid for the victims of war. With help from ICRC, families receive dead bodies of their loved ones, and get access to prisons to meet with their relatives.
These agencies might have not kept their promises with Taliban, but it cannot be used as a justification to impose complete ban on these organizations. The Taliban should talk to both agencies and share their concerns with them instead of putting an embargo on their activities. As the war drags on, even the Taliban need the help of international agencies such as ICRC. Moreover, the World Health Organization lends a helping hand to Afghanistan in the health sector that can face even more challenges if the agency halts its operations. ICRC and WHO should also maintain their neutrality in the light of their principles, and not provide the Taliban with a chance to deprive Afghan people of their valuable services.