ID :
25829
Tue, 10/21/2008 - 18:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/25829
The shortlink copeid
UN expresses concern over killing of its staff in war zones
United Nations, Oct 21 (PTI) Sounding "alarm" over increasing attacks against humanitarian workers in Somalia and Afghanistan, the United Nations Secretary-General has condemned killings of those who are making efforts to "alleviate the dire suffering of the people".
Ban Ki-moon's statement came in the wake of killing of two local staff members of the United Nations since Friday and of one worker of a non governmental organisation in Afghanistan Monday.
"The Secretary-General deplores these acts of deliberate violence against those who are making every effort to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali and Afghan citizens," his spokesperson said, adding that he is alarmed at the increasing trend of killing and abduction of aid workers in both countries.
Staff of U.N. aid agencies and NGOs has come under increasing attacks in recent months in countries and regions plagued by conflict, including Somalia, Afghanistan and Darfur region of Somalia.
In a report released earlier this month on staff
security, Ban called for collective responsibility and closer
collaboration between the U.N. and its Member States to
protect U.N. staff and other humanitarian workers.
The report found that there were 490 attacks against U.N.
offices, convoys and premises between July 2007 and June this
year, leading to 26 deaths of U.N. staff. At least 63 workers
with N.G.O.s were murdered during the same period.
The most recent series of attacks started on Friday, when
Abdenasser Adan Muse, a senior programme assistant for the
World Food Programme (W.F.P.), was shot three times as he left
a mosque in the town of Merka.
A spokesperson for W.F.P., Bettina Luescher, told the
U.N. News Centre that the agency was shocked and saddened by
the attack on Muse.
"This killing only undermines what a dangerous place
Somalia is – this is the second W.F.P. staff member to be
killed this year, in addition to five drivers working for
W.F.P. contractors," Ms Luescher said.
"W.F.P. appeals to all factions in Somalia to respect
humanitarian workers and allow them to carry out their
life-saving work at a time when their skills are critically
needed."
Mukhtar Mohammed Hassan, a water engineer working with
the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was shot dead
Monday in Huddur as he walked with friends after attending
the local mosque.
The agency said an investigation into the circumstances
and motive for the killing was now under way.
Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian N.G.O. known
as SERVE, in Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting
the disabled, was shot dead Monday as she walked to work in
Kabul. She was 34 and a dual British-South African national.
PTI
Ban Ki-moon's statement came in the wake of killing of two local staff members of the United Nations since Friday and of one worker of a non governmental organisation in Afghanistan Monday.
"The Secretary-General deplores these acts of deliberate violence against those who are making every effort to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali and Afghan citizens," his spokesperson said, adding that he is alarmed at the increasing trend of killing and abduction of aid workers in both countries.
Staff of U.N. aid agencies and NGOs has come under increasing attacks in recent months in countries and regions plagued by conflict, including Somalia, Afghanistan and Darfur region of Somalia.
In a report released earlier this month on staff
security, Ban called for collective responsibility and closer
collaboration between the U.N. and its Member States to
protect U.N. staff and other humanitarian workers.
The report found that there were 490 attacks against U.N.
offices, convoys and premises between July 2007 and June this
year, leading to 26 deaths of U.N. staff. At least 63 workers
with N.G.O.s were murdered during the same period.
The most recent series of attacks started on Friday, when
Abdenasser Adan Muse, a senior programme assistant for the
World Food Programme (W.F.P.), was shot three times as he left
a mosque in the town of Merka.
A spokesperson for W.F.P., Bettina Luescher, told the
U.N. News Centre that the agency was shocked and saddened by
the attack on Muse.
"This killing only undermines what a dangerous place
Somalia is – this is the second W.F.P. staff member to be
killed this year, in addition to five drivers working for
W.F.P. contractors," Ms Luescher said.
"W.F.P. appeals to all factions in Somalia to respect
humanitarian workers and allow them to carry out their
life-saving work at a time when their skills are critically
needed."
Mukhtar Mohammed Hassan, a water engineer working with
the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was shot dead
Monday in Huddur as he walked with friends after attending
the local mosque.
The agency said an investigation into the circumstances
and motive for the killing was now under way.
Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian N.G.O. known
as SERVE, in Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting
the disabled, was shot dead Monday as she walked to work in
Kabul. She was 34 and a dual British-South African national.
PTI
