ICRC staff still hostages in Afghanistan

(B2) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) launched an appeal today (Saturday 18 February) for its two collaborators – kidnapped on 8 February last during an ambush in the province of Jowzan – “ be released unharmed and unconditionally ". During this attack, six other collaborators of the international organization were killed.

A call for liberation and to avoid untimely action

« We appeal to the kidnappers' sense of humanity and demand the immediate and unconditional release of our colleagues. says Monica Zanarelli, head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan. " We also ask them not to take any action that could harm them, because we want to prevent this tragedy from taking an even more dramatic turn.. Concretely, the ICRC asked “ authorities and armed groups operating in the region to do everything possible "so that his two collaborators are released safe and sound but also" refrain from taking any action that might endanger their lives ».

The ICRC, which has been present in Afghanistan for some thirty years, has decided to " temporarily suspend all activities in Afghanistan until the safety of its men and women is assured.

(NGV)