Statement on attacks on polio workers - Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, United Nations DSRSG, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

Health workers in five locations in Nangarhar province were attacked today during the course of their life-saving work. Five were killed, and four were injured in five separate incidents.

I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives and wish those who are injured a full and swift recovery.

I am appalled by the brutality of these killings. This is not the first time health workers have come under attack. We witnessed the killings of three innocent polio workers during the national polio vaccination campaign in March this year as well. Such senseless violence must stop immediately, and those responsible must be investigated and brought to justice.

The national polio vaccination campaign, which began yesterday, has been suspended in the East region. Polio immunization campaigns are a vital and effective way to reach millions of children to protect them against polio. Depriving children from an assurance of a healthy life is inhumane.

The United Nations strongly condemns all attacks on health workers anywhere. The delivery of health care is impartial and any attack against health workers and those who work to defend them is an attack on the children, whose very lives they are trying to protect.