Afghan

UNFPA chief Thoraya Obaid

Afghanistan: UN official urges investment in women’s health to stem maternal deaths

23 April 2007
Afghanistan, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, must intensify efforts to improve the health of women and children as part of overall efforts to boost conditions in the war-ravaged country, the head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said today in Kabul.

Use of minor in Taliban execution sparks UNICEF outrage

23 April 2007
Condemning the use of a minor in an execution carried out by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today that such acts – deplorably not uncommon in many countries – constitute war crimes under international law.
Tom Koenigs, SRSG for Afghanistan

Afghanistan: UN opens new office in Daikundi to drive development

22 April 2007
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today opened its latest new office, in Daikundi, to drive development efforts in the central highlands of Afghanistan.

UN grieves for slain colleagues and children in Afghanistan after deadly attacks

17 April 2007
The United Nations today expressed grief over the killing in Afghanistan of five of its workers in a roadside bomb blast and also for the deaths of four children and the wounding of four others in a separate explosion at a school, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon strongly condemning these “despicable acts” of violence.

‘American Idol’ star and UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken spotlights Afghanistan

11 April 2007
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and singer Clay Aiken is currently on his first visit to Afghanistan, aiming to raise awareness about the hope and promise he has seen in the young people of the war-torn country.
Afghan returnees

Number of UN-assisted Afghan returnees from Pakistan tops 3 million

10 April 2007
The number of Afghans helped by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to return from Pakistan since 2002 has passed the 3-million mark, but the agency warned today that 2 million other Afghans remain in exile in the neighbouring country, unwilling or unable to make the journey home.

Afghanistan: Ban Ki-moon urges stepped-up efforts to boost stability amid rising attacks

10 April 2007
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for stepped-up efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan after a series of attacks there this month resulted in the killing of six de-miners, six Canadian troops serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), nine civilians and a local journalist.

UN condemns bloody weekend in Afghanistan; agencies help flood victims

9 April 2007
The United Nations today condemned separate bloody weekend attacks in Afghanistan, resulting in the killing of seven civilian de-miners and the deaths of six Canadian soldiers belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is helping to bring stability to the war-torn country.

Afghanistan: UN envoy condemns murder of local journalist by Taliban

8 April 2007
The senior United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today spoke out against the killing of Afghan journalist Ajmal Naqshbandi, who had been abducted by Taliban extremists early last month, calling for action to apprehend the perpetrators.

Afghanistan: UN food agency rushes supplies to feed 60,000 in wake of floods

5 April 2007
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today stepped up assistance to victims of devastating spring floods in Afghanistan, sending 1,000 tonnes of emergency rations to feed 60,000 people for 30 days, but the agency is concerned about those affected who are beyond the reach of immediate help.