United Nations Radio

The United Nations Assistance mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Wednesday condemned an attack that killed three female international aid workers along with their Afghan driver in a province bordering Kabul.

The women who worked for the International Rescue Committee were traveling on the Kabul to Logar highway when they were attacked by unknown gunmen.

UN special envoy for Afghanistan Kai Eide urged the Afghan authorities to "leave no stone unturned in the search for the perpetrators."

He says workers "face a growing humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan and all parties to this conflict must recognise and respect the inherent neutrality and independence of the humanitarian assistance being provided to those Afghans who need help the most."

Special envoy Eide says the International Rescue Committee "provides life saving humanitarian assistance to those most affected by the conflict and it is reprehensible that such selfless individuals working for the most vulnerable communities should be deliberately targeted this way."

The women were identified as nationals of the United States, Canada and Ireland.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration:1'00")