Killings, Kidnappings Make Afghanistan Second Most Dangerous Country For Aid Workers - UN

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st September, 2018) Attacks in Afghanistan this year have killed 23 aid workers, injured 37 and abducted 74 in all parts of the country but particularly in Nangarhar Province bordering Pakistan, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Toby Lanzer said in a briefing on Friday.

"This is now the second most dangerous country on earth to be an aid worker... exceeded only by Syria," Lanzer told reporters. "It's 23 aid workers who have been killed, it's 37 who have been injured and 74 who have been abducted."

The vast majority of aid workers are citizens of Afghanistan working either for Afghan-based charities or for UN and international aid groups, Lanzer explained.

The attacks have taken place throughout the country but Nangarhar province has been hit especially hard, with agencies such as Save the Children bearing the brunt of increased violence by a resurgent Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia), Lanzer explained.

A January attack on Save the Children's compound in Nangarhar's Jalalabad city killed at least three aid workers and forced the charity to suspend operations in Afghanistan, according media reports.

In addition to attacks on aid workers, 13 journalists have been killed while on the job in Afghanistan this year, Lanzer said.