33 aid workers have been killed during the first eight months of 2014 in Afghanistan, in several security incidents with different causes and actors involved. ACBAR calls on all actors, government, opposition, and independent, to actively refrain from hostile acts that cause injuries or death of aid workers.
The situation for Afghans, as well as for aid workers, remains precarious, but aid workers keep implementing projects for the Afghan people. Insecurity represents a major challenge in Afghanistan for civilians and aid workers. Indiscriminate attacks, military operations affecting civilians as well as health providers, and overall instability were on the rise in the six first months of 2014.
Despite these challenges, NGOs strove to support the persons in need.
Our thoughts and condolences go to the families of the victims, their colleagues and friends as well as to the whole community of aid workers.
ACBAR wants to reiterate its strong condemnation of any attack, intimidation, violence or threats against aid workers in Afghanistan.
ACBAR would like to reiterate that humanitarian organizations are working impartially and independently to deliver much needed aid to the Afghan people who need it the most, irrespective of ethnic identity, religious or political beliefs.
Afghans endure one of the worst levels of poverty in the world; they are highly vulnerable to natural disasters and currently face an intensification of conflict that has devastated the country for more than 30 years. In this context, NGOs – both local and international – provide and will continue to provide, essential relief and development aid to people in need, across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, often in areas where other service providers have limited or no access.
Any attack, intimidation, violence or threat against aid workers, interests, beneficiaries or assets will ultimately result in delays in aid implementation, which negatively impacts the welfare of the people of Afghanistan – particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.
ACBAR, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief & Development, is an Afghan independent body bringing together 128 national and international NGOs working in Afghanistan and abiding by the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity. As the collective voice of NGOs operating in Afghanistan, ACBAR’s activities have focused heavily on providing information to its members / the aid community, coordination of activities at the national / regional levels, and advocacy on issues affecting the work of its members. http://www.acbar.org
Humanitarian Principles
Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found. The purpose of Humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings.
Neutrality: Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Impartiality: Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress and making no distinctions on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions.
Independence: Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian action is being implemented.
Contact: director.acbar@gmail.org
ACBAR Press Release 24th August 2014 Global statement docx
