Afghan

Landmine clearning

UN aims to have historic Afghan city of Bamiyan mine-free by October

29 July 2008
The United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) has announced plans to clear a total of 1,800,000 square metres of land in the historic city of Bamiyan that is contaminated with mines and unexploded ordinance (UXOs) by October.

Attack on UN food convoy a blow for struggling Afghans

28 July 2008
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned the latest attack on a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy that was transporting vital aid for the country’s most vulnerable, who are suffering amid drought and rising food prices.
Landmine clearning

Afghanistan making significant progress in mine clearance, reports UN official

21 July 2008
More than 38,000 anti-personnel mines have been cleared in the past six months across Afghanistan – one of the most heavily mined countries in the world – representing 10 per cent of the total number cleared in the past 18 years, a senior United Nations official said today.

Afghanistan: chemicals used for heroin production seized in UN-backed operation

17 July 2008
More than three tons of precursor chemicals used to produce heroin were recently seized in Afghanistan in an operation supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

UN deplores bombing at market in southern Afghanistan

14 July 2008
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned the suicide bomb attack that struck a marketplace in the southern province of Uruzgan, resulting in the deaths of a number of civilians and police officers.
Afghan refugees (file photo)

Security Council voices support for boosting UN presence in Afghanistan

11 July 2008
The Security Council has endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s recommendations to strengthen the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) so that it can better assist the people of the strife-torn nation rebuild their country and their lives.

UN seeks $400 million to feed Afghans hit by food crisis and drought

9 July 2008
The United Nations and the Government of Afghanistan today appealed for just over $400 million to feed 4.5 million people who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
Kai Eide of Norway (file photo)

International commitments to help Afghanistan must be upheld, says UN envoy

9 July 2008
The commitments made recently in Paris to help Afghanistan must be met to prevent the erosion of support for the United Nation’s efforts, the world body’s top envoy to the strife-torn South Asian nation said today.
Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan

Attack on Indian embassy in Kabul ‘cowardly and heinous,’ declares UN envoy

7 July 2008
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has condemned today’s suicide attack outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul, which reportedly killed over 40 people and injured more than 100, as a “cowardly and heinous crime.”

Enhanced UN mission vital to helping Afghans improve their lives – Ban

7 July 2008
Helping the people of Afghanistan to rebuild the strife-torn nation and improve their daily lives will require strengthening the United Nations mission there in a number of key areas, including increased staffing and possible structural changes, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report.