Afghanistan: GIZ is assisting local employees to leave the country

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is continuing its intensive efforts to assist national staff and their families to leave Afghanistan. This also includes any former members of the workforce. Furthermore, on behalf of the German Government, GIZ is also assisting local Afghan employees from other organisations and people who have been identified by the German Government as vulnerable. This support is primarily contingent on the German Government providing a commitment that these individuals will be allowed to enter Germany.

GIZ takes care of overland transport and charter flights, arranges visa interview appointments, organises COVID-19 tests as well as temporary accommodation and board for those leaving the country. To date, GIZ has provided support to more than 5,000 Afghans with their departure and/or onward travel.*

The German Government defines the criteria for the evacuation procedure for local employees and thus also the individuals to whom they apply. For more information, see: Information for Afghan local employees working for German development cooperation | BMZ

*By February 15th, GIZ had provided support to around 7,500 Afghans with their departure and/or onward travel.