CONDEMNING KILLINGS, SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES VIOLENCE AGAINST AID WORKERS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the killing of aid workers in Somalia and Afghanistan, and offers his condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.  He is deeply distressed to learn that two aid workers in Somalia and one in Afghanistan have been killed over the past three days. 

The Secretary-General deplores these acts of deliberate violence against those who are making every effort to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali and Afghan citizens.  He is alarmed at the increasing trend of killing and abduction of aid workers in both countries. 

He calls upon all parties to respect the neutral and impartial status of humanitarian staff, to allow them to do their work bringing vital life-saving assistance to the millions of Somalis and Afghans who are counting on this support for their survival.

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For information media • not an official record