UN chief "appalled and deeply saddened" by attack on Save the Children

The UN chief said he was "appalled and deeply saddened" by Wednesday's attack on the offices of the international NGO Save the Children in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The NGO announced the death of three of its staff members, and news reports said dozens had been injured, including children.

A local affiliate of the ISIL terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which led to a 10-hour siege.

Save the Children has temporarily suspended all of its programmes in Afghanistan.

Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep sympathy to the families of all the victims.

"Humanitarian organizations provide life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable men, women and children in Afghanistan. Aid workers, and their premises and assets, should never be a target. The Secretary-General reiterates that all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan are obliged under international law to protect humanitarian workers and civilians." UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

UN Radio/GBCONLINE
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