AFGHANISTAN: UN OPENS NEW OFFICE IN DAIKUNDI TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT

AFGHANISTAN: UN OPENS NEW OFFICE IN DAIKUNDI TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT
New York, Apr 23 2007 12:00AM
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today opened its latest new office, in Daikundi, to drive development efforts in the central highlands of Afghanistan.

"We believe that our presence can help cement peace, stability and progress for the people of Afghanistan and that is why we will open more offices around the country as the security situation allows," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative, Tom Koenigs.

This new office will allow UNAMA to play a key co-ordination role, to improve its links with local networks, and to encourage increased development for local communities, the mission said in a press statement.

"Recent flooding and avalanches have highlighted the urgent need to establish a coordinated response for natural disasters that have plagued Daikundi," Mr. Koenigs said, adding that the new office would cooperate closely with the local authorities to establish faster, more effective responses to the needs of affected communities.

"We will help strengthen governance and the rule of law, as well as monitoring human rights issues and will encourage aid agencies to deliver more development assistance to the people of Daikundi," he pledged.

UNAMA, which has 15 other offices located in various parts of the country, said it plans to open another one in the province of Ghor shortly.

2007-04-22 00:00:00.000

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