Humanitarian

Taliban Lift Ban On Red Cross In Afghanistan

ICRC staff delivering aid in Afghanistan 150919 CREDIT ICRC_0.jpg

The ICRC said they hoped to resume programmes which had been stopped since April (Picture: ICRC).

The Taliban have revoked their ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan.

The militant group has also provided a guarantee of security for ICRC staff doing humanitarian work in areas under Taliban control.

A ban on the ICRC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) was imposed in April by Taliban leaders who claimed the organisation were conducting "suspicious" activities.

The Red Cross has been providing medical support in the region for more than 30 years.

ICRC doctor in Afghanistan 150919 CREDIT ICRC.jpg — The International Committee of the Red Cross has been active in Afghanistan for 30 years (Picture: ICRC).

"The Islamic Emirate restores the former security guarantees to ICRC in Afghanistan and instructs all mujahideen to pave the way for ICRC activities and be mindful of security to this committee’s workers and equipment," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.

The head of the ICRC in Afghanistan has welcomed the Taliban's decision to lift a ban on its humanitarian work.

They said they hoped to resume programmes which had been stopped since April.

While the Taliban's statement referred to the ICRC, there was no mention of the WHO.