Afghan

French troops assigned to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: top UN envoy voices concern over mounting civilian toll

31 December 2009
As the United Nations investigates a joint raid by Afghan and international forces in which 10 people – mostly students – were killed, the world body’s top envoy to Afghanistan today appealed to all groups, both government and insurgent, to step up efforts to distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Afghan returnees from the Jalozai refugee camp in Pakistan at the UNHCR transit centre in Jalalabad

UN welcomes Pakistan’s protection of registered Afghans refugees

31 December 2009
The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed Pakistan’s decision to continue extending hospitality for the next three years to some 1.7 million registered Afghan refugees living within its borders.
Afghan returnees from the Jalozai refugee camp in Pakistan at the UNHCR transit centre in Jalalabad

Insecurity lowers Afghan returns 2009, UN reports

29 December 2009
The number of Afghan refugees trickling home from Iran and Pakistan plummeted this year, with the United Nations refugee agency pinning the blame for the low number of returns on insecurity, limited economic opportunities and political insecurity in the wake of August’s national polls.
Afghan refugees (file photo)

Insecurity and corruption hinder UN assistance in Afghanistan: UN official

21 December 2009
The United Nations warned today that insecurity and corruption continue to disrupt humanitarian efforts to the most vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, hindering delivery of food and other forms of aid this winter.
Afghan refugees (file photo)

UN preparing to build 10,000 homes in Afghanistan to house returning refugees

14 December 2009
The United Nations refugee agency is slated to build a further 10,000 homes in Afghanistan next year in a bid to ease the return of Afghans who have fled decades of violence in the war-wracked nation and encourage more to come home, a senior official told reporters in Kabul today.
French troops assigned to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan

Senior UN envoy urges more coordinated assistance for Afghanistan’s development

9 December 2009
The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today called for the country’s key partners to ensure they work together in a more coordinated and streamlined way to move forward with supporting national development efforts.
Training of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers in Pul-e-Charkhi, Kabul

Secretary-General welcomes new United States plan for Afghanistan

2 December 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the new United States plan for Afghanistan announced by President Barack Obama, and said the United Nations remains committed to supporting a transition to increased Afghan ownership, responsibility and leadership for peace and development in the country.
A winterization aid distribution in Kabul.

Ahead of harsh winter, UN distributes aid for 200,000 vulnerable Afghans

1 December 2009
The United Nations refugee agency today began distributing relief items in Kabul as part of a nationwide programme to help some 200,000 vulnerable Afghans survive the upcoming winter.
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, speaking to reporters in Kabul

Top UN official calls for transition, not exit, strategy for Afghanistan

1 December 2009
Just hours before President Barack Obama formally announces the United States’ strategy for Afghanistan, the top United Nations envoy there today underscored the need for a long-term commitment from the international community for the country, stressing that now is not the time to talk about an exit strategy.
The guest house in Kabul where UN staff stayed, ablaze after it was attacked on 28 October 2009

UNICEF announces name of staffer killed in Kabul guest house attack

1 December 2009
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has confirmed the identity of one of its staff members who was killed along with four other UN workers on 28 October when militants attacked a guest house in Kabul, Afghanistan.