UNICEF Chief Mourns Relief Workers Killed in Afghanistan

Reacting to an attack on Friday against relief workers from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other humanitarian organizations, the agency's Executive Director today mourned the victims and stressed the need for understanding about the mission of aid personnel.

"We grieve at the loss of life, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who were killed and injured yesterday," UNICEF chief Ann M. Veneman said in a statement released in New York.

Noting that this is the second time in eight days that UNICEF staff have been attacked in the course of their work, she rejected as "unacceptable" any threat to the safety of humanitarian workers around the world.

"We rely on the understanding that we do our work to save lives, and the presumption that goodwill will protect our staff," she said.

Friday's attacks in Afghanistan came after a gunman in eastern Chad last week seriously injured a UNICEF staff member.

Source: United Nations

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