UN humanitarian chief condemns killing of senior aid worker in Chad

The United Nations humanitarian chief today strongly condemned the killing of Pascal Marlinge, Country Director of Save the Children-UK in Chad, and extended his condolences to the agency and to Mr. Marlinge’s family.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said that “the targeting of humanitarian workers who are in Chad to help those suffering from civil strife is an inexcusable crime.”

Mr. Marlinge, a French national who was based in the town of Abeché in Chad, was killed when a three-vehicle humanitarian convoy was stopped by two armed men in uniform. The incident happened about 20 kilometres east of Farchana, on the road to the town of Adre in eastern Chad.

Mr. Holmes said “the UN welcomes assurances by the Government of Chad that this crime will be investigated,” and added that, “this despicable act is likely to exacerbate already challenging conditions in which humanitarian workers continue to provide much-needed relief to those in need.”

The attack was the second targeting a humanitarian worker in Chad in less than a year. Gunmen shot and killed a driver working for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) late last year.