The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has opened its newest office in Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of the country’s northern Baghlan province, bringing the total number of its field offices to 18.
“Our new office will play a crucial role in the coordination of development efforts, monitoring of human rights issues, strengthening of good governance and the rule of law, assisting local institutions in combating corruption and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid,” a spokesperson for the UN Mission told reporters in Kabul today.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Kai Eide, presided at the opening of the new office, which took place this weekend.
In addition to its headquarters in Kabul, UNAMA also has offices in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Bamiyan, Gardez, Ghor, Kunar, Khost, Nimroz, Badghis, Maimana, Faizabad, Daikundi, Zabul and Uruzgan.
The General Assembly today welcomed the ongoing extension of the world body’s presence into additional provinces in Afghanistan, saying it “ensures that the United Nations fulfils its essential coordinating role.”
In a wide-ranging and unanimously adopted resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, the 192-member body encouraged UNAMA to consolidate its presence and to continue its expansion throughout the country, particularly in the south, “security conditions permitting.”
Last month Mr. Eide reported to the Security Council that the number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the last few months has been the highest since 2002 as the insurgency spreads beyond the south and east of the country.
(UN; 10 november 2008)
Zie ook
Verenigde Naties breiden aanwezigheid Afghanistan uit met kantoor in Baghlan
Posts tonen met het label kai eide. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label kai eide. Alle posts tonen
dinsdag 11 november 2008
zondag 26 oktober 2008
Afghan anti-corruption efforts receive financial boost with UN grants
Three Afghan civil society groups working to combat corruption in the fledgling democracy will be able to boost their activities to promote accountability and transparency thanks to grants being provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Integrated Approaches for Community Development, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, and Saba Media Organization will each receive grants of up to $50,000 to carry out activities in the areas of monitoring, awareness-raising and capacity development, media and access to information, and training on anti-corruption and ethics.
The grants are provided through UNDP’s Accountability and Transparency (ACT) Project’s Accountability and Transparency Grants Facility, which seeks to complement anti-corruption activities carried out by the Afghan public sector.
The Grants Facility was set up “to encourage the active involvement of civil society and media in the fight against corruption,” said Manoj Basnyat, UNDP Country Director for Afghanistan.
The ACT Project is working to facilitate broad public awareness and education initiatives on the complex issues of corruption and to engage more civil society actors and local think tanks in this process.
Among other things, it is designed to support the Government in developing a broader anti-corruption strategy, as well as raise awareness and educate civil servants on the scourge.
The Afghan Government has taken a number of steps to combat corruption, including becoming a State Party to the UN Convention against Corruption, adopting new anti-corruption legislation and establishing a new anti-corruption body.
At the same time, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, has noted that corruption must also be tackled “from the bottom up” with the people, Afghan civil society and the media having a crucial role in supporting Government efforts.
According to a recent survey by Integrity Watch Afghanistan, the average Afghan household pays an estimated $100 in petty bribes every year – this in a nation where around 70 per cent of the population survives on less than $1 per day.
(UN: New York, Oct 23 2008)
Zie ook
Gemiddeld Afghaans huishouden betaalt 100 dollar aan omkoopsommen, extra geld voor drie organisaties
Integrated Approaches for Community Development, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, and Saba Media Organization will each receive grants of up to $50,000 to carry out activities in the areas of monitoring, awareness-raising and capacity development, media and access to information, and training on anti-corruption and ethics.
The grants are provided through UNDP’s Accountability and Transparency (ACT) Project’s Accountability and Transparency Grants Facility, which seeks to complement anti-corruption activities carried out by the Afghan public sector.
The Grants Facility was set up “to encourage the active involvement of civil society and media in the fight against corruption,” said Manoj Basnyat, UNDP Country Director for Afghanistan.
The ACT Project is working to facilitate broad public awareness and education initiatives on the complex issues of corruption and to engage more civil society actors and local think tanks in this process.
Among other things, it is designed to support the Government in developing a broader anti-corruption strategy, as well as raise awareness and educate civil servants on the scourge.
The Afghan Government has taken a number of steps to combat corruption, including becoming a State Party to the UN Convention against Corruption, adopting new anti-corruption legislation and establishing a new anti-corruption body.
At the same time, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, has noted that corruption must also be tackled “from the bottom up” with the people, Afghan civil society and the media having a crucial role in supporting Government efforts.
According to a recent survey by Integrity Watch Afghanistan, the average Afghan household pays an estimated $100 in petty bribes every year – this in a nation where around 70 per cent of the population survives on less than $1 per day.
(UN: New York, Oct 23 2008)
Zie ook
Gemiddeld Afghaans huishouden betaalt 100 dollar aan omkoopsommen, extra geld voor drie organisaties
vrijdag 24 oktober 2008
Top UN envoy deplores recent attacks against Afghan civilians
The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has condemned recent attacks against civilians in the violence-wracked nation, including a suicide bombing on Monday that killed five children in Kunduz, the murder of a number of passengers on a bus in Kandahar and the killing of a foreign aid worker in the capital, Kabul.
“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
Zie ook
Kai Eide veroordeelt recente aanvallen tegen burgers Afghanistan
“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
Zie ook
Kai Eide veroordeelt recente aanvallen tegen burgers Afghanistan
dinsdag 14 oktober 2008
Top UN envoy warns deadly Afghan attacks on increase as situation worsens
The number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the last few months has been the highest since 2002 as the insurgency spreads beyond the south and east of the country, the top United Nations envoy told the Security Council today.
As the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, the insurgency has now extended to provinces around Kabul, attacks have become more deadly and there have been more attacks against humanitarian targets, Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, informed the Council.
He warned that although a decrease in attacks after Ramadan had allowed a polio vaccination campaign to take place, the current spike indicated that there would be no recurrence of the usual winter lull in fighting this year.
Noting that not all is “doom and gloom” Mr. Eide told the press: “When President [Hamid] Karzai carries out a cabinet reshuffle which demonstrates a desire to attack key issues that have so far not been handled appropriately, that makes me optimistic.”
Mr. Eide, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA, stressed that there were other positive developments which gave him cause for cautious optimism, such as a more constructive relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the basis of a shared threat from insurgents.
He said that further reasons for hope were the political changes in Afghanistan, including the strengthening of the Ministry of the Interior and the police sector, changes in the Ministry of Agriculture that could help avoid food shortages and stimulate economic growth, as well as reductions in illicit drug production.
If these more positive trends could be built on, the current negative atmosphere could be replaced by one of greater confidence, which was important both for the Afghan population and donors, he told the Council meeting.
(Bron: VN, 14 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Aanvallen in Afghanistan op zijn hevigst volgens Eide van de UNAMA
As the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, the insurgency has now extended to provinces around Kabul, attacks have become more deadly and there have been more attacks against humanitarian targets, Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, informed the Council.
He warned that although a decrease in attacks after Ramadan had allowed a polio vaccination campaign to take place, the current spike indicated that there would be no recurrence of the usual winter lull in fighting this year.
Noting that not all is “doom and gloom” Mr. Eide told the press: “When President [Hamid] Karzai carries out a cabinet reshuffle which demonstrates a desire to attack key issues that have so far not been handled appropriately, that makes me optimistic.”
Mr. Eide, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA, stressed that there were other positive developments which gave him cause for cautious optimism, such as a more constructive relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the basis of a shared threat from insurgents.
He said that further reasons for hope were the political changes in Afghanistan, including the strengthening of the Ministry of the Interior and the police sector, changes in the Ministry of Agriculture that could help avoid food shortages and stimulate economic growth, as well as reductions in illicit drug production.
If these more positive trends could be built on, the current negative atmosphere could be replaced by one of greater confidence, which was important both for the Afghan population and donors, he told the Council meeting.
(Bron: VN, 14 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Aanvallen in Afghanistan op zijn hevigst volgens Eide van de UNAMA
maandag 13 oktober 2008
Afghanistan: Top UN envoy welcomes cabinet reshuffle
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed the changes announced by President Hamid Karzai to his 26-member cabinet, stating that they reflect the priorities set by the Government and its people.
The changes announced yesterday pertain to five portfolios, namely the ministers of the interior, education, agriculture, refugees, and parliamentary affairs.
"This reshuffle demonstrates political determination, the importance of implementing more rigorously the agenda set and agreed upon in Paris in June, with a team that can take these issues forward -- particularly the strengthening of the Afghan police and agricultural production," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued yesterday in Kabul.
As part of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held in the French capital in June, the Government and the international community strengthened the partnership to secure a peaceful and stable nation.
The meeting resulted in, among other things, fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"I am fully committed to supporting this new Ministerial team and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months," Mr. Eide added.
(Bron: VN, 12 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Hamid Karzai gooit zijn Kabinet drastisch om
The changes announced yesterday pertain to five portfolios, namely the ministers of the interior, education, agriculture, refugees, and parliamentary affairs.
"This reshuffle demonstrates political determination, the importance of implementing more rigorously the agenda set and agreed upon in Paris in June, with a team that can take these issues forward -- particularly the strengthening of the Afghan police and agricultural production," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued yesterday in Kabul.
As part of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held in the French capital in June, the Government and the international community strengthened the partnership to secure a peaceful and stable nation.
The meeting resulted in, among other things, fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"I am fully committed to supporting this new Ministerial team and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months," Mr. Eide added.
(Bron: VN, 12 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Hamid Karzai gooit zijn Kabinet drastisch om
donderdag 11 september 2008
More troops will boost Afghan efforts to take over country’s security – UN envoy
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed a decision to expand the country's national army, calling it an important step as the Government works towards assuming responsibility for security across the strife-torn nation.
At its meeting [Wednesday] in Kabul, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) - the body set up in 2006 to monitor implementation of the five-year blueprint for reconstruction known as the Afghanistan Compact - agreed to increase the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 personnel.
"This increase is a huge step towards ensuring the Afghan Government has the number of soldiers it needs and that it can gradually take over the responsibility for the security of the country," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and co-chair of the JCMB.
"We all know that ensuring security for all Afghans is of paramount importance," added Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The Board, which consists of senior Afghan ministers and representatives of the international community, also endorsed a proposed Afghanistan Social Outreach Programme, which aims to empower local communities.
Reports were also presented on the status of preparations for elections and on the new anti-corruption body, the High Office of Oversight.
In addition, participants were briefed on the humanitarian and refugee situations, hearing renewed calls to support a $404 million appeal launched in July to help some 4.5 million Afghans who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
The Board also welcomed the proposal presented by the Afghan Government to set up a mechanism to support the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), the five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development that was unveiled at a Paris conference in June.
At the Paris conference, dozens of countries and international organizations pledged resources to help Afghanistan rebuild and advance peace, security and development.
"There is now a real sense of urgency to build on the commitments and progress that were made at the Paris conference. This is a testing period for us all, but we all remain committed to implementing the commitments made - such as improved aid effectiveness and a more intensive fight against corruption," Mr. Eide said.
At its meeting [Wednesday] in Kabul, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) - the body set up in 2006 to monitor implementation of the five-year blueprint for reconstruction known as the Afghanistan Compact - agreed to increase the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 personnel.
"This increase is a huge step towards ensuring the Afghan Government has the number of soldiers it needs and that it can gradually take over the responsibility for the security of the country," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and co-chair of the JCMB.
"We all know that ensuring security for all Afghans is of paramount importance," added Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The Board, which consists of senior Afghan ministers and representatives of the international community, also endorsed a proposed Afghanistan Social Outreach Programme, which aims to empower local communities.
Reports were also presented on the status of preparations for elections and on the new anti-corruption body, the High Office of Oversight.
In addition, participants were briefed on the humanitarian and refugee situations, hearing renewed calls to support a $404 million appeal launched in July to help some 4.5 million Afghans who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
The Board also welcomed the proposal presented by the Afghan Government to set up a mechanism to support the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), the five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development that was unveiled at a Paris conference in June.
At the Paris conference, dozens of countries and international organizations pledged resources to help Afghanistan rebuild and advance peace, security and development.
"There is now a real sense of urgency to build on the commitments and progress that were made at the Paris conference. This is a testing period for us all, but we all remain committed to implementing the commitments made - such as improved aid effectiveness and a more intensive fight against corruption," Mr. Eide said.
maandag 1 september 2008
UN provides emergency aid to Afghans affected by recent military operations in Herat
A United Nations team has delivered emergency relief assistance to some 900 people in the country's western Herat province who were affected the recent military operations which the world body said resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including many children.
Last week the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Herat's Shindand district.
This weekend a UN emergency relief team, accompanied by local government officials, delivered three truckloads of essential food, cooking utensils, shelter materials and medicines to some 150 families in the area.
"At this point in time the primary concern of all of us has to be the welfare of the people of Shindand district," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.
"I have asked all UN agencies working in Afghanistan to step up support to the local authorities as they work to help the survivors. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand ready to assist with all ongoing efforts to support those who need our help the most," he stated.
The UN team also met with village elders to listen to their needs and concerns as recovery efforts continue.
Mr. Eide has called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
Last week the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Herat's Shindand district.
This weekend a UN emergency relief team, accompanied by local government officials, delivered three truckloads of essential food, cooking utensils, shelter materials and medicines to some 150 families in the area.
"At this point in time the primary concern of all of us has to be the welfare of the people of Shindand district," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.
"I have asked all UN agencies working in Afghanistan to step up support to the local authorities as they work to help the survivors. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand ready to assist with all ongoing efforts to support those who need our help the most," he stated.
The UN team also met with village elders to listen to their needs and concerns as recovery efforts continue.
Mr. Eide has called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
dinsdag 26 augustus 2008
UN says “At least 90 civilians killed in recent military operations”
An investigation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that some 90 civilians, including 60 children, were among those killed during military operations in the strife-torn nation's western Herat province last week.
A team of human rights officers from UNAMA went to Herat's Shindand district to investigate reports that large numbers of civilian casualties were sustained during operations conducted by foreign and Afghan military personnel around midnight on 21 August.
They found "convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others," that some 90 civilians were killed - including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men - and another 15 villagers wounded.
"This is a matter of grave concern to the United Nations. I have repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations," Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued Wednesday in Kabul.
According to the people interviewed by UNAMA, the military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. "The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims," the mission said.
Mr. Eide called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that it does not happen again.
"The impact of such operations undermines the trust and confidence of the Afghan people in efforts to build a just, peaceful, and law-abiding State," he stated, reminding all parties that the protection of civilians must be their primary concern.
They must respect their duties under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect the people we are here to serve," he added.
(Bron: UN)
A team of human rights officers from UNAMA went to Herat's Shindand district to investigate reports that large numbers of civilian casualties were sustained during operations conducted by foreign and Afghan military personnel around midnight on 21 August.
They found "convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others," that some 90 civilians were killed - including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men - and another 15 villagers wounded.
"This is a matter of grave concern to the United Nations. I have repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations," Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued Wednesday in Kabul.
According to the people interviewed by UNAMA, the military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. "The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims," the mission said.
Mr. Eide called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that it does not happen again.
"The impact of such operations undermines the trust and confidence of the Afghan people in efforts to build a just, peaceful, and law-abiding State," he stated, reminding all parties that the protection of civilians must be their primary concern.
They must respect their duties under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect the people we are here to serve," he added.
(Bron: UN)
zondag 24 augustus 2008
UN calls for probe into reports of civilian casualties in military operation in Shindand
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan Saturday called for a thorough investigation of reports that large numbers of civilians were killed during an international military operation in the far west of the country.
Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued a statement in which he said he had learned late last night that civilians may have been killed during the operations, carried out in Shindand district of Herat province.
He stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to establish the facts "before we jump to any conclusions. The United Nations has always made clear that civilian casualties are unacceptable. They undermine the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."
Mr. Eide said he had instructed the Herat office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to help provincial authorities to establish and verify the facts.
"Any civilian casualty is one civilian casualty too many," he said. "And every effort that can be made must be made to ensure the safety and welfare of the civilian population where military operations are conducted."
Meanwhile, the Special Representative today told a conference for southern Afghan governors that partnerships with provincial and district authorities are central to improving the effectiveness of aid across the south, which remains the most unstable and violence-wracked region of the country.
Speaking in Kandahar, Mr. Eide noted that it was in the southern districts and provinces "that the lack of effectiveness is most acutely felt. It is here that the lack of coordination has the greatest impact."
He also urged the governors to combat corruption more vigorously, or risk undermining the confidence of Afghans in their State institutions and jeopardizing local security even further.
Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued a statement in which he said he had learned late last night that civilians may have been killed during the operations, carried out in Shindand district of Herat province.
He stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to establish the facts "before we jump to any conclusions. The United Nations has always made clear that civilian casualties are unacceptable. They undermine the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."
Mr. Eide said he had instructed the Herat office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to help provincial authorities to establish and verify the facts.
"Any civilian casualty is one civilian casualty too many," he said. "And every effort that can be made must be made to ensure the safety and welfare of the civilian population where military operations are conducted."
Meanwhile, the Special Representative today told a conference for southern Afghan governors that partnerships with provincial and district authorities are central to improving the effectiveness of aid across the south, which remains the most unstable and violence-wracked region of the country.
Speaking in Kandahar, Mr. Eide noted that it was in the southern districts and provinces "that the lack of effectiveness is most acutely felt. It is here that the lack of coordination has the greatest impact."
He also urged the governors to combat corruption more vigorously, or risk undermining the confidence of Afghans in their State institutions and jeopardizing local security even further.
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