Afghanistan

Security Council approves international force in Afghanistan for another year

17 September 2004
The Security Council today voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the international troop force in Afghanistan for another year and called upon countries to commit more personnel and funds so that it can work more effectively.
Afghans

6 million Afghans need food relief because of drought and pests, UN report finds

16 September 2004
More than six million Afghans will need food relief or other assistance over the next year because persistent drought in some areas and pests and diseases in others have caused crop failures across the country, a report by two United Nations agencies has found.

UN staff returning to troubled city in western Afghanistan to resume operations

16 September 2004
United Nations staff are gradually returning to the troubled city of Herat in western Afghanistan, where the offices of the UN mission and agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were ransacked and seriously damaged on Sunday, to try to restore the world body’s operations there.

Annan condemns attacks on UN and partners in western Afghanistan

12 September 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has condemned today's attacks against United Nations offices, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Independent Human Rights Commission in strife-torn western Afghanistan's Herat province.

Afghanistan: UN envoy hails appointment of new governors in troubled western provinces

11 September 2004
The senior United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today hailed the appointment of new governors in the troubled provinces of Herat and Ghor and underscored the importance of reconciliation ahead of elections scheduled for next month.
High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers

Millionth Afghan refugee returns home from Iran in landmark for UN

2 September 2004
The United Nations refugee agency today marked a symbolic milestone with the return home of the one millionth Afghan from Iran since the start of voluntary repatriation to their war-ravaged country in April 2002, reducing by half the overall Afghan refugee population there.
Kofi Annan

Annan voices deep concern at weekend series of deadly bombings in Afghanistan

30 August 2004
Noting the high death toll from the two explosions in Afghanistan over the weekend, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced his deep concern at the continuing violent attacks on the country's electoral process.

No casualties after blast apparently targets election workers in Afghanistan

29 August 2004
As polling officials in Afghanistan began training today for the country's upcoming elections, the United Nations temporarily stopped road missions to Rodat District in Nangarhar province after a blast apparently targeted election workers there.

UN and Pakistan sign accord to strengthen battle against drug trafficking, crime

23 August 2004
In a bid to enhance law enforcement in states bordering Afghanistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today announced a new technical assistance agreement to strengthen key agencies in Pakistan in the battle against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Afghanistan: UN expert denounces abuses in illegal prisons

22 August 2004
A United Nations Independent Expert on Afghanistan is denouncing abuses taking place at an illegal jail there, and seeking answers from the United States on getting the prisoners released.