Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan appalled by attack on humanitarian organisation

(Kabul, 24 January 2017): The attack reportedly targeting the offices of a humanitarian organisation in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, killed two people and wounded a dozen, including five children, according to initial information.

“I am appalled and outraged by this attack reportedly directly targeting the office of the NGO ‘Save the Children’. Humanitarian workers are not a target,” said Ms. Adele Khodr, the acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan. “I renew our calls on all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarian workers,” said Ms. Khodr.

The building of another NGO in a neighbouring compound also caught fire during the attack. All staff could evacuate this compound safely. Two people were reportedly killed in the attack and a dozen civilians injured, including five children, according to information from the hospital where they are being treated.

“Humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable girls, boys, women and men in Afghanistan have to be able to work in safety and communities have to be able to access assistance in safety,” said Ms. Khodr.

Afghanistan is one of the most challenging and dangerous environments for humanitarians to operate in. In 2017, a total of 17 aid workers were killed and 32 injured. More than 150 humanitarian partners assisted more than 3.4 million people in the first nine months of the last year.

For further information, please contact:
Philippe Kropf, Public Information Officer OCHA Afghanistan (kropf@un.org / +93 (0)793 001 110)