Statement eurocommissaris Georgieva over dode en gewone hulpverleners Afghanistan (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Commissie (EC), gepubliceerd op woensdag 27 november 2013.

European Commission

MEMO

Brussels, 27 November 2013

Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, reacting to the news of the deaths and injury of seven aid workers in Afghanistan

It is with shock and great sadness that I learnt of the deadly attack on a team of Afghan aid workers of our NGO partner ACTED in Afghanistan. Six members of the team were tragically killed and a seventh was seriously injured. Once again, this is proof that local aid workers are most at risk in conflict situations.

It is also yet another deeply distressing example of how the unrestrained conduct of armed elements in Afghanistan continues to threaten the lives of people whose only mission and purpose is to relieve the suffering of others. I would like to convey my sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to all their colleagues at ACTED.

I will continue my quest to entreat all parties involved in this and every other conflict throughout the world, to abide by International Humanitarian Law and to respect and protect civilians and those who are assisting them.

Background

Acted, a French non-governmental organization, has been engaged in Afghanistan since 1993. It is a humanitarian partner organisation of the European Union.

For more information

The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection:

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm

Commissioner Georgieva's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/georgieva/index_en.htm