Attack on ICRC office denounced

KABUL on Thursday strongly condemned an insurgent attack on an office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in eastern Nangarhar province.

Wednesday’s suicide attack in Jalalabad killed one ICRC staff member and an Afghan guard. And six of the assailants were killed while expatriate was slightly wounded. All other staff members escaped unhurt.

“Once again, we are reminded these insurgents have a total disregard for human life. Our thoughts are with the victims of the attack and their families,” the US embassy in Kabul said.

A statement, the embassy said the United States strongly supported the work of the ICRC and other global groups like the International Organization for Migration, which was also attacked six days ago. 

“We are strong in our resolve to continue the important work with our Afghan and international partners to give the people of Afghanistan the chance they deserve to build their country’s future.  As they stand up, we stand with them,” it added.

Separately, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also denounced as senseless the assault on a humanitarian group that provides aid and comfort for Afghans.

“I express my sympathies to the families of those wounded and killed in the senseless attack and emphasise that we will continue to stand by our Afghan partners as they march toward a more stable and secure future,” said Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the ISAF commander. 

“This attack shows a blatant disregard for human life, but it will not stop the progress being made here. Those who were killed or wounded in this attack will be remembered for their sacrifice in service to their country,” he added.

Earlier in the day, ICRC also slammed the attack on its office. “We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,” said Jacques de Maio, the ICRC head of operations for South Asia. “Right now, our thoughts go out to the family of our dead colleague.”

The statement said the ICRC has 36 staff, including six expatriates in Jalalabad, with some 1,800 staff working in 17 locations throughout Afghanistan, one of the ICRC’s biggest operation sites worldwide.

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