AFGHANISTAN: UN DEPUTY EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR MEETS ISAF, HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY IN KANDAHAR

(Kabul, 4 December 2010): Catherine Bragg, the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited Kandahar, Afghanistan as part of a mission to the country ahead of the launch of the 2011 humanitarian appeal, set for 5 December 2010. Her visit included meetings with the Governor of Kandahar, Government officials, US military officials, the Provincial Reconstruction Team and the humanitarian community.

Instability and armed conflict continue in the southern region, with further signs of fragility and deterioration in humanitarian conditions. The number of war casualties at Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is hitting record highs, with almost twice as many new patients showing weapon-related injuries in August and September 2010 as during the same months last year.

"The civilian population, particularly in southern Afghanistan, is trapped in the middle and suffer disproportionately," she said. "Threats or attacks on the UN and humanitarian community only compound this desperate situation further by limiting assistance and civilian protection," she added.

In addition to ongoing conflict, humanitarian groups in Kandahar also stressed the impact of endemic natural disasters on the population, including drought, heavy snowfall, and flash floods, which further reduce access to economic opportunity and increase vulnerability.

In meetings with US military officials and Canadian representatives of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, Ms. Bragg urged respect for the Geneva Conventions and the right of the affected population to needs-based assistance.

"I urge all parties to the conflict to allow and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access to civilian populations in need," said Ms. Bragg.

For further information, please call: David Del Conte, +9379578709, delconte@un.org; Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.orgor www.reliefweb.int

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize andcoordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors