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 Despite these reassurances, staff were withdrawn as part of standard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