UN humanitarian chief deplores killing of aid workers in Afghanistan

(New York, 13 August 2008) - United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes today deplored the tragic killing of four aid workers from the organization International Rescue Committee (IRC) in an ambush in Afghanistan.

"I was horrified to hear of the brutal murder of our colleagues from IRC. Nothing can justify such an attack on people whose lives are devoted to helping the people of Afghanistan, and my heart goes out to their colleagues, friends and families," stated Mr. Holmes.

At the same time the country is facing deteriorating food security, dealing with the plight of millions of returnees and internally displaced people, and weathering the impact of natural disasters and continuing conflict, the humanitarian community is finding it progressively harder to respond because of insecurity and lack of access. This incident was the latest and most deadly single attack against the Afghan aid community this year. Already 19 aid workers have been killed in 2008, surpassing the total number of lives lost in 2007.

"Humanitarian workers should be protected by the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and must not be targeted, as they appear to be at present in Afghanistan," continued Mr. Holmes. "I appeal to all concerned to respect these principles and to respect the lives of those who are dedicated to helping others in need, irrespective of politics or religion."

For further information, please call: Dawn Elizabeth Blalock, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 318 8917; John Nyaga, OCHA-NY, + 1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.