“In this challenging situation, we not only had to deal with our own insecurities but also with the feelings and reactions of our employees, our partners and acquaintances.”
Roos is now working in Switzerland to help secure the evacuation of around 230 local staff members and their families.
“I am concerned for our Afghan colleagues and their families and for all other Afghans who currently feel threatened in their own country.”
Roos thanked foreign office officials in Switzerland, the Swiss embassies in Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Qatar, plus the German “evacuation partners” for getting the SDC team to safety.
So far, the Swiss government has refused to open the country’s doors to large numbers of Afghan refugees despite growing pressure to ease asylum conditions in light of the Taliban takeover of the war-torn country.
Switzerland condemned for deciding to deport gay Iranian
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Switzerland violated the prohibition on inhuman treatment by considering that a gay Iranian could be returned to his country.
Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
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A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.
Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
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The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.
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A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.
Costs and care time increase in Swiss retirement and nursing homes
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In 2023 the costs of retirement and nursing homes increased by 5% compared to 2022 and those of assistance and care at home by 7%. Together, they amounted to CHF15 billion.
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Almost half of the population in Switzerland shows clear to pronounced signs of smartphone addiction, according to a survey.
Swiss healthcare stakeholders want to save CHF300 million
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The main players in the Swiss healthcare sector want to save around CHF300 million ($340 million) in healthcare costs a year from 2026.
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Swiss foreign ministry staff flown out of Kabul
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The three remaining Swiss employees at the cooperation office in Kabul have been evacuated, the foreign minister has confirmed.
Last Swiss cooperation office staff to leave Kabul
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Switzerland will withdraw the remaining Swiss staff at its aid cooperation bureau in Kabul as soon as possible, as Afghan situation worsens.
Pressure grows on Switzerland to accept Afghan refugees
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Several Swiss cities have added their voice to growing demands for Switzerland to open its doors to refugees from Afghanistan.
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Switzerland has suspended repatriations to Afghanistan “until further notice owing to the changed situation in the country”.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.