UN agency condemns attack on refugee site in Pakistan

The United Nations humanitarian agency strongly condemned today a twin suicide bombing at a UN registration point for internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing trial violence in northwest Pakistan, and temporarily suspended critical services in the area.

The United Nations humanitarian agency strongly condemned today a twin suicide bombing at a UN registration point for internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the trial violence in northwest Pakistan, and temporarily suspended critical services in the area.

“We mourn their loss, and condemn their killing,” said Martin Mogwanja, Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan.

“These were people who had fled their homes. They had suffered displacement, they''d suffered losing their homes. They''d come to the registration point considering it a safe haven,” he added.

Two suicide bombers dressed in burqas attacked the Sherkot Registration point in the city of Kohat as people lined up to register, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Agency (OCHA).

According to Government officials cited in the media, at least 41 people were killed and dozens others injured.

More than a quarter of a million people who fled the fighting in the tribal districts of Orakzai and Kurram are registered as IDPs in Kohat and neighbouring Hangu.

Since December 2009 the United Nations has been providing them with vital assistance, including food and shelter.

OCHA has said it will suspend these critical services temporarily as the security situation is assessed.