According to Anne Kwakkenbos of the aid organization Cordaid, there are still many questions. “Does this mean a demarcation? Does this mean it will stop there?” Much more clarity is needed about the lists of people, says Kwakkenbos. “I dare say we have a fair idea of who we’ve worked with, but we’re not perfect either.”
In a joint statement, aid organizations including the Dutch Council for Refugees, Cordaid and Free Press Unlimited are very concerned about a number of groups that still threaten to remain behind in Afghanistan, also because it is unclear which groups are classified as ‘high profile’ or ‘visible’. and which ones don’t.
“For example, it is unclear whether the guards and drivers for defense who were previously covered by the Belhaj motion still stand a chance of evacuation,” a joint statement said.
Sensitivities
Kwakkenbos says he understands well that, for example, visibility is mentioned. “But that is very easy to say from a safe Netherlands. It depends a lot on region and location. With a women activist in Kabul who has been in the news a lot, it is fairly easy to say that she is welcome. But what if it is about an activist who has been much more active in the local community, for example in Uruzgan She may not have had her head in the newspaper, but it is known in the community that she was very actively involved in political participation. There are sensitivities that need to be explored.”
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