United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed on Friday that the United Nations is not evacuating its staff from Afghanistan.

SG Ban Ki-moon

Speaking to reporters after briefing the Security Council, the Secretary-General said during his visit to the country last week he saw for himself that the determination and commitment of the staff there remain strong.

He said the United Nations is taking immediate steps to strengthen security for all United Nations staff in Afghanistan following last week's attack in Kabul in which five UN staff members were killed and nine injured.

He said the organization is temporarily relocating some international staff to safer sites within Afghanistan.

The Secretary-General made it clear that the United Nations is also relocating approximately 200 staff to other duty stations within the region and not 600 as reported by some media.

"We are not moving any international staff in the provinces out of the country. I know that some people have inaccurately characterized this as withdrawal or evacuation, but let me be crystal clear. We are not evacuating. We will not, cannot and must not be deterred. Our work will continue."

The Secretary-General said no critical staff will be moved and the United Nations work on the humanitarian and development needs of Afghanistan will continue as before.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
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