UN’s Afghanistan mission opens new office in central province of Ghor

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has opened a new office in the central province of Ghor, where staff will help local communities with development, humanitarian efforts, human rights, good governance and the rule of law.

“UNAMA is well aware that Ghor has suffered greatly from its isolation and it continues to struggle to gain the attention it deserves. It is our hope that the days of Ghor being overlooked are slowly drawing to a close,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative, Tom Koenigs, at a launch ceremony in Chaghcharan on Saturday.

“We believe that our presence can help secure peace, stability and progress for the people of Ghor. With our new office we will encourage more organizations to deliver much needed development and humanitarian assistance,” he added.

Mr. Koenigs acknowledged the “vast but not insurmountable” challenges facing Ghor. The region’s people, he said, “should have no illusions that the scale of the problems facing this province can be solved quickly and easily.”

He called for concerted and sustained efforts by the Government, the donor community and the Afghan people, pledging UNAMA’s full support for this endeavour.

With this new office, the mission has nearly doubled its presence across Afghanistan over the last year.