Persons responsible for security of Finnish embassy personnel safely away from Kabul

Finland’s relief efforts in Afghanistan were complemented late on the night of Friday 27 August, when the employees of the company responsible for the security of Finnish Embassy personnel were successfully led inside the gates of Kabul Airport. The total number of these employees and their family members is 83 persons. Assisted by US troops, the group managed to get on a flight away from Kabul early this morning.

The keys to success were close diplomatic contacts and collaboration between the United States and Finland, based on networks created by Finland during the evacuation effort.

This is the group of 128 individuals on whose evacuation the Finnish Government made a decision at an extraordinary meeting on 24 August.

The total number of evacuees to Finland is now 413 persons.

Finland’s relief efforts in Afghanistan ended when the Foreign Ministry's relief team and the Defence Forces’ unit tasked with safeguarding the efforts had left Kabul. The Foreign Ministry’s relief team arrived in Finland on the night of Friday 27 August, and the Defence Forces announced that their unit has returned home this morning (28 August).

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue to provide assistance to Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland in Afghanistan to the extent possible.

 

Inquiries:

Veikko Kiljunen, Director of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350101