AFGHANISTAN: NGOs victims of growing criminality

[seemslikeadream]

05 Jan 2005 16:36:14 GMT

Source: Integrated Regional Information Networks

KABUL, 5 January (IRIN) - Aid workers in the capital Kabul have raised concern about the increase in violent attacks on aid agencies over the last couple of months. In just four weeks, several NGOs have been targeted by gunmen and criminals in the capital.

"It is shocking that even in the capital, with thousands of international peacekeepers present, NGOs come under violent attack," Lal Gul, the head of the Afghan Commission for Human Rights (ACHR) told IRIN on Wednesday.

Gul said that last Friday several armed men dressed in police uniforms broke into the ACHR office and tried to rob the premises. "They entered the building by force and tried to get into my office but with the help of neighbours they were forced to escape."

The ACHR incident follows at least two other armed robberies of international organisations that have declined to be named for security reasons. In one of the attacks, intruders were able to steal over US $100,000 as well as computers and equipment.

According to the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR), an umbrella group representing over 90 national and international aid agencies in Afghanistan, the problem is not confined to Kabul. "In addition to insurgent attacks, the NGOs are the victims of irresponsible and irregular militias in Kabul and the provinces," Mohammad Hashim Mayar, a programme coordinator with ACBAR, told IRIN.
more
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1b7ec95ac676115d394d852ee82b9829.htm

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. Another resounding success for Bushco!

Thank God things in Afghanistan were so peachy-keen we could just drop the place and go invade Iraq. :silly: