Afghanistan: UN relief chief urges immediate release of kidnapped aid worker
Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes strongly condemned the abduction of the aid worker, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization (NGO) active in education and development in Afghanistan.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against civilians in the strife-torn nation. Just two weeks ago Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead in Kabul on her way to work.
Mr. Holmes, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, voiced his deep concern about the worsening trend of killings and abductions of both civilians and aid workers in Afghanistan.
In a statement issued in New York, he “reminds the Government of Afghanistan and all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect civilians, including all aid workers.”