The mass relocation of nearly 600 employees is neither an evacuation nor withdrawal, according to the UN. The decision follows a lethal attack targeting a UN guesthouse in Kabul that killed five employees a week ago. While the UN has said that aid delivery will not be affected — since the local Afghan staff are responsible for the delivery part of the process– the evacuated staff are to return only when adequate security is provided at previously unsecured accommodation.

Insecurity has gripped the country for some time, but  things have undoubtedly taken a downturn in the current year. Emboldened insurgents are now carrying out punitive attacks in the heart of Kabul. Working in a high-security risk environment is not new for organisations such as  the UN, and others.  But the lethality of the last attack and modus operandi of the attackers have raised the bigger consideration of exposing civilians to such risks. The UN had initially said it will not be deterred from its mission and will continue to work for the people. Its change of heart may have been influenced by the United States. which  is already facing severe challenges on the battlefront.

The US and coalition forces are facing a bigger challenge; that of losing face and public support by being unable to provide security. This has worsened with every successful attack targeting foreigners. The fact remains that security arrangements are totally inadequate even inside Kabul, a factor that has boosted the propaganda arm of the insurgency. At the same time, it has had a detrimental impact on the coalition efforts and morale.

The Taleban had especially threatened UN involvement in the election rerun that had been  scheduled for November 7, before Abduallah Abdullah withdrew from the race and ensured  incumbent President Hamid Karzai another term.

While election attacks may have been warded off, the decision to evacuate has been taken within a bigger perspective.  The UN’s activities in the country include food distribution, reconstruction, political outreach and elections.

While this move may be temporary, it has lent an added air of urgency to the Afghan landscape, which is beginning to resemble an abandoned battleground. There is no doubt that UN activities might resume, but Afghanistan needs more than provision of adequate security for  civilians and aid workers.

It needs a lasting political solution, something the coalition, along with the government,  should focus on.