The Mountains around Kabul Remind me of Switzerland

I had not planned to work in Afghanistan, but at UNHCR your career often takes you to interesting and unexpected places. I do believe that my career and interests in some ways naturally guided me to come here. 

I started working with UNHCR in 2008 at the Bureau for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. I have since worked in various contexts like Tunisia during the Libya conflict, in Jordan and Lebanon at the peak of the Syria crisis or in Yemen until the war broke out there. I have also had roles at UNHCR's Geneva headquarters including within the Office of UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. 

These diverse experiences now help me navigate one of the world's most politically sensitive and challenging humanitarian landscapes. 

Like many colleagues at UNHCR, I have gone to work where it was needed, which has taken me on assignments across numerous countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. These diverse experiences now help me navigate one of the world's most politically sensitive and challenging humanitarian landscapes. 

My daily life in Kabul is set within a secured compound. My office is located just a few meters from my living quarter and continually reminds me of the security concerns and the distinct environment that it necessitates. Armed guards patrol the compound perimeter, my office comes equipped with a helmet and bulletproof vest, and the windows are reinforced with blast film that also diffuse the sunlight. 

It can at times be oppressing to be surrounded by high walls and barbed wire, which is why I frequently go up on the roof, where you can see the magnificent peaks surrounding Kabul. The mountains remind me of home, and I often think how amazing it would be to be able to just walk out and into those mountains. Given this very confined life, every four weeks we leave the country for one week to “rest and recuperate”. 

Since the Taliban's 2021 takeover, the security situation has improved, allowing us to access all parts of Afghanistan, with appropriate security arrangements. A typical working week may include visiting our offices in cities like Kandahar or Mazar-i-Sharif to discuss current issues with colleagues there, visiting border areas near Jalalabad and Herat to support refugee returnees, and meeting displaced Afghans or returnees to understand their needs. 

I find that each day presents new challenges. Afghanistan frequently experiences natural disasters such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies that UNHCR responds to.  

Since August 2021, Afghanistan's de facto authorities have steadily curtailed women's and girls' rights. Their decrees have banned girls from secondary school, restricted women's access to universities and to social and economic opportunities. NGOs and UN agencies face hurdles in employing Afghan women. These ban’s heavily impact women and girls in Afghanistan as well as how we work. 

Moreover, amid rising poverty and malnutrition, Afghanistan faces additional pressures from large-scale returns, such as Pakistan's plan to repatriate 1.3 million foreigners, primarily Afghans. We see how these returns further strain the already limited resources of host communities in Afghanistan. Insufficient funding exacerbates the situation, potentially widening the gap between the needs and donor-provided assistance. Consequently, maintaining support for displaced populations in this complex environment remains a critical challenge. 

These shared experiences and mutual support often forge lifelong bonds. 

On a personal level, being constantly surrounded by and exposed to suffering and hardship is challenging. While colleagues each finds their own ways to cope with these difficulties, I appreciate how we support one another in maintaining a positive outlook day to day. These shared experiences and mutual support often forge lifelong bonds. 

With major hostilities in Afghanistan ending after nearly 40 years, active conflict no longer drives displacement as before. Nonetheless, 3.2 million Afghans remain displaced within the country due to conflict and over 5.5 million are registered as refugees or are in refugee-like situations in the region. Humanitarian needs persist due to poverty, food insecurity, and gaps in essential services. 

It is therefore crucial to align the immediate emergency responses with long-term strategies. 

It is therefore crucial to align the immediate emergency responses with long-term strategies. Humanitarian aid alone cannot sustainably address the deep-rooted crises in protection, basic human rights, and humanitarian needs stemming from decades of conflict, the 2021 regime change, recurrent natural disasters, and the large-scale return of Afghan refugees. 

As part of its efforts to ensure durable solutions for displaced populations, UNHCR has established a "whole of community" approach to support entire populations, including host communities, enhancing local capacity to integrate displaced individuals and returnees. 

The situation for women and girls is dire. However, I draw hope from knowing that UNHCR continues to prioritize activities within its mandate to address this situation and I believe our work makes a meaningful difference in mitigating the impact of these adversities. 

In response to the systematic denial of women's rights, well-being, and identity by the de facto authorities, UNHCR ensures that women and girls of all ages are prioritized for assistance and services, focusing especially on supporting women-led households and women facing heightened risks. We ensure that UNHCR’s initiatives - from financial inclusion to vocational training - are designed to meet the specific needs of women. 

Additionally, UNHCR contributes to the UN’s crucial advocacy for the rights of women and girls, seeking support from external partners to amplify these efforts. 

Through its Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland has directly supported UNHCR Afghanistan with more than USD 7 million over the past three years. 

Beyond the financial contribution, Switzerland’s support for Afghan women and girls is crucial now more than ever. This includes advocating actively for women's rights, backing humanitarian and human rights efforts in Afghanistan, but also ensuring those who reach Switzerland find safety and the chance to rebuild their lives there. 

Additionally, as a Swiss national, I have often found that Switzerland's international reputation for its strong humanitarian tradition has helped to establish a useful rapport with counterparts and opened doors. I believe that upholding this reputation through consistent positive actions and policies is critical, especially as the world becomes increasingly affected by adversity. Switzerland's continued demonstrated commitment to humanitarian values will be essential in fostering cooperation and support in these difficult times. 

One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been the work I did on resettlement. Resettlement aims to find lasting solutions for refugees who face significant risks or challenges in their first country of asylum, such as security threats or limited opportunities for integration and livelihoods. 

Witnessing the profound positive transformation in their lives as they found safety and stability was immensely fulfilling. 

This work gave me the opportunity to reconnect with refugees who had shared their stories of suffering and abuse with me in a tent under the scorching desert sun near the Libyan border in Tunisia. A few months later I met the same person in Berne as they had found a new home in Switzerland. Witnessing the profound positive transformation in their lives as they found safety and stability was immensely fulfilling. Their resilience and the progress they made after such hardships deeply moved me, highlighting the impact of our efforts and the importance of providing a haven for those in need. 

Working with UNHCR is incredibly rewarding and meaningful, even as it can also be challenging. Being part of the UN has made me feel connected to the world around me, as most global news stories impact this work in some way. 

Being part of the UN has made me feel connected to the world around me, as most global news stories impact this work in some way. 

Flexibility is crucial at UNHCR, as situations can change swiftly, requiring quick adaptation to new circumstances and priorities. This adaptability extends not only to our professional roles but also to our personal lives. Commitment is also essential, given the long hours, challenging environments, and complex issues that demand sustained dedication to achieving positive outcomes for displaced populations. Embracing diverse perspectives is vital within UNHCR's multicultural teams and when engaging with individuals from varied backgrounds. Additionally, compassion allows us to understand the needs of those we serve and find effective solutions. 

For me, the profound impact that UNHCR’s work has and the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives make this work deeply fulfilling.