ARCS workers killing in Jawzjan condemned

KABUL (ARCS), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of two ARCS workers in northern Jawzjan province by unknown assailants.

The health workers were killed on Tuesday during in a gun attack on the main road in Khanaqa district when they were travelling to Shiberghan after their medical activities. Another two staff members injured in the assault were hospitalised.

The ARCS, ICRC and IFRC condemned the shooting and killing in a joint statement. “This attack on the medical team is shocking and unacceptable,” the statement said.

The ARCS mobile clinic team of four workers was working in Khanaqa district providing medical assistance to people in remote areas with difficulties to access healthcare. The vehicle in which the team was travelling in was clearly marked with the ARCS logo, the statement said, identifyin the slain workers as Sayed Hazarat, 32, a vaccinator, and Mohammad Najibullah, 45, the team’s driver.

The statement said medical personnel as well as their marked vehicles were protected under international humanitarian law and must not be harmed.

“Health-care personnel, including ARCS staff, must be able to provide assistance unhindered and in safety. The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems must be respected at all times.”

pr/ma

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