United Nations International Staff Return to Afghanistan

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 24 December 2000 - Ten staff of the United Nations system in Afghanistan today returned from Pakistan to their duty stations inside Afghanistan. As a precautionary measure, the United Nations withdrew its international staff from all areas of the country on 19 December, immediately before the imposition of new United Nations sanctions against the country. Prior to the withdrawal of staff, local authorities in all parts of the country had assured the United Nations that maximum efforts would be made to protect UN personnel, premises and property. Despite these reassurances, staff were withdrawn as part of standard operating procedures under such circumstances. At the time of withdrawal, the United Nations had stressed its commitment to return international staff as quickly as possible if the security situation inside Afghanistan remained stable and conditions were favourable for their return. The United Nations also emphasised that assistance programmes would continue even in the absence of international staff, as long as their absence was short term. Close and continued monitoring of the situation in Afghanistan indicated that order has prevailed, and there have been no security incidents to warrant prolonging the withdrawal. During the short period of their removal to Pakistan, United Nations staff expressed their concern for vulnerable Afghans in need of international assistance. One of the poorest countries in the world, Afghanistan is suffering from the worst drought in thirty years. Programmes to help those hardest hit are operating throughout the country, including those for an estimated quarter of a million internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have fled their homes due to conflict and drought. Staff have now returned to three locations in the country - Kabul, Herat and Mazar. A gradual return will be effected in accordance with current staffing levels.
For further information, please call Stephanie Bunker, Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, 0320 261325; 2264807