Statement attributable to the United Nations USG for Humanitarian Affairs and ERC

(New York, 3 November 2009): John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, strongly condemns the abduction today of an aid worker in Kabul, Afghanistan, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization active in education and development. The Emergency Relief Coordinator calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the staff member.

In addition, the Emergency Relief Coordinator deplores the killing of an Afghan citizen, who was shot while trying to prevent the incident.

The Emergency Relief Coordinator is deeply concerned about the worsening trend of killings and abductions of both civilians and aid workers in Afghanistan, and reminds the Government of Afghanistan and all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect civilians, including all aid workers.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, John Nyaga, OCHA-NY, + 1 917 367 9262, nyagaj@un.org; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHAGeneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int