Scores of Children Among Casualties in Kabul Attack Today - UNICEF
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore
KABUL/KATHMANDU/NEW YORK, 1 JULY 2019 – “The deadly blast that hit the Afghan capital Kabul during rush hour today did not spare children during one of their most mundane and important routines: Being at school.
“Initial reports show that more than 50 children were injured when their school was damaged in the attack. This is horrific.
“Schools should be havens of peace. Violence in or around schools is never acceptable.
“An already dire security situation in Afghanistan has recently been getting worse. This violence, which keeps blighting futures and claiming young lives, must end.”
“UNICEF renews its call to all parties to the conflict to end the violence and to protect children at all times. Generations of Afghan children have known nothing but war. It is more than time that they enjoyed a life free of violence and conflict.”
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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org
Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org