Afghan

UN again suspends mine clearance in parts of Afghanistan

29 May 2003
The United Nations has again suspended mine clearance along parts of one of Afghanistan’s most important routes for commerce and relief aid after new attacks and threats to de-mining teams on the road between the capital, Kabul, and the southern city of Kandahar.

Afghan refugees returning at much slower rate than last year – UN agency

22 May 2003
The number of United Nations-assisted returns of Afghan refugees so far this year reached 100,000 today, only a quarter of the rate for the same period last year, the UN refugee agency said.

UN launches joint project to reform Afghanistan's prison system

20 May 2003
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has joined with the Afghan Ministry of Justice to launch a two-year project to reform the country's prison system.

Anti-polio drive by UNICEF highlights Afghanistan's day of unity for children

20 May 2003
Afghanistan's successful polio eradication campaign, with the help of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as a host of other vital efforts to improve the lives of young people were among the highlights of the country's observance of a national day of unity for youngsters today.

Local liaison to UN in northern Afghan city killed; factions to be removed

19 May 2003
The top local security liaison official for the United Nations system in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif was killed during factional fighting over the weekend, and all factions are to be removed from the city tomorrow in a "critical" effort to restore security.

Armed escorts to accompany UN road missions in southwest Afghanistan

15 May 2003
Responding to increasingly serious attacks on United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in southwestern Afghanistan, the UN mission announced today that road missions would only take place there with armed escorts provided by Afghan authorities at a level equal to security needs.

UN, Pakistan and Afghanistan discuss return of Afghan refugees

14 May 2003
In an attempt to resolve one of the world's longest-running humanitarian concerns, the United Nations refugee agency and the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan held the first meeting of a Tripartite Commission today to discuss the ongoing return and reintegration of up to 2 million Afghan refugees.

UN partially suspends de-mining operations in Afghanistan following attacks

8 May 2003
The United Nations has suspended mine clearance on parts of one of Afghanistan’s most important routes for commerce and relief aid following new attacks on de-mining teams on the road between the Afghan capital of Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar.
Lakhdar Brahimi addressing the Council

Deteriorating security threatens peace process in Afghanistan - UN envoy

6 May 2003
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today told the Security Council that deteriorating security conditions continue to cast a long shadow over the peace process and future of the country, and called for the creation of Afghan security forces capable of ensuring lasting tranquillity.
Translating Afghan languages

UN helps translate Afghan languages onto digital highway

6 May 2003
Afghanistan takes a major step towards the age of digital communication today with the release of a United Nations-commissioned report providing for the first time comprehensive information needed by software programmers and vendors to bring the central Asian country's languages to life on computer keyboards and screens.