Head of Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority Meets Swiss Development and Cooperation Chief

Mulla Nooruddin Turabi, head of the National Disaster Management Authority, met with Eric Markley, head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation.

According to the authority's press office, Turabi outlined that the agency focuses on five objectives: prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, response, and reconstruction. It is currently distributing humanitarian aid while prioritizing preventive projects such as cleaning riverbeds and constructing gabion and retaining walls.

Turabi emphasized Afghanistan's vulnerability to climate change impacts, urging donors to provide assistance without political considerations. He noted that the authority has facilitated operations for aid organizations and compiled a priority list for disaster management to streamline project implementation and funding.

Markley described the Swiss agency's activities in three areas: human rights, climate change and humanitarian aid, and economic recovery through private sector support. The agency, active in Afghanistan for years, paused for remote work before resuming in-person operations a year ago to enable closer collaboration with Afghan technical agencies. Markley stressed consulting sectoral agencies for project success and effectiveness, aiming to secure more donor funding and implement projects via local institutions.

Pamela Statakis, the agency's deputy, and Mohammad Mustafa Sabzbaz, responsible for climate change and disasters, presented details on ongoing projects. They mentioned one planned mine clearance project and four others under implementation by partner organizations, each involving disaster management components.

Both sides emphasized enhancing cooperation through technical sectors.