15/08/2003

'Shock and dismay' over killings of Afghan aid workers

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have expressed their "shock and dismay" at the killing of two Afghan Red Crescent workers and the wounding of three others yesterday on Wednesday.

Saadat Khan, a driver, and Qobad Khan, a relief worker, were killed when the convoy of two trucks and a four-wheel-drive vehicle in which they were travelling was shot at in Andar district of Ghazni province. Their three wounded colleagues were taken to Ghazni hospital for treatment and are now back in Kabul.

Saadat Khan was 55-years-old. Qobad Khan, 63-years-old, had worked for the Afghan Red Crescent Society for more than 20 years in its disaster relief department.

The convoy vehicles were marked with the Red Crescent emblem. No further information on this incident is as yet available, the aid groups said.

The International Federation, the ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society are assessing the implications of these killings on their operations.

The agencies have called on all armed persons and groups to grant safe passage to all vehicles and staff working under the Red Crescent and Red Cross emblems and to allow them to perform their humanitarian tasks.

The bodies of Saadat Khan and Qobad Khan were taken to Kabul for their funerals, which took place this afternoon.

The International Federation and the ICRC have expressed their "sincerest condolences" to the families of those killed and their deepest sympathy with the injured.

(gmcg)

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