UN opens new offices in Afghanistan’s troubled southern region

The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) has opened a new regional office in Qalat, Zabul, in the south of the country, where a growing insurgency threatens stability, as part of its efforts to work with Afghans to boost development and monitor human rights.

“The new offices build on our current network and will help us to listen closely to the needs of the people, the community, the elders and the local authorities to get a better understanding about what can be done to help to bring prosperity to Afghanistan,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to the country, Tom Koenigs.

“The office will closely cooperate with the local government and local governors and with all the administration to strengthen good governance and the rule of law, as well as monitoring human rights issues and will assist the local population where needed to ensure that more development reaches these areas,” he said.

UNAMA has plans to open more offices across in the whole country, the envoy noted. “We believe that our presence can help contribute to the stabilization of the country,” said Mr. Koenigs.

The mission is mandated to provide political and strategic advice for the peace process and help the Government towards implementation of the Afghanistan Compact, a five-year development plan for the country. UNAMA is also promoting human rights, providing technical assistance, and continuing to manage all UN humanitarian relief, recovery, reconstruction and development activities in coordination with the Government.

Mr. Koenigs has warned the Security Council that Afghanistan faces a growing insurgency in the south, calling for international efforts to counter the threat he said was posed by a coherent leadership with a clear intention to overthrow the Government and return the country to the way it was under the Taliban.