Welthungerhilfe staff member attacked and killed in Afghanistan

The armed men hurled abused at the local employees, insulting them for working for a foreign organisation. They were then sent off. According to a statement given later by the local employees, shots then rang out. By the time they returned to the vehicles, the German staff member was lying on the ground, badly injured.

ISAF doctors and local security forces are currently investigating what exactly happened on the northern Afghan road this morning.

The Welthungerhilfe staff member was in Afghanistan on a short term assignment, inspecting building sites together with local engineers. Welthungerhilfe is currently reconstructing schools, bridges and hospitals in northern Afghanistan within the framework of the National Solidarity programme.

Since the fall of the Taliban at the end of 2001, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe has spent approximately 40 million euros on water projects, infrastructure and rural development in Afghanistan. The main focal points of project work are in the north and east. In addition to this, Welthungerhilfe is involved in the National Solidarity Programme, the reintegration of former combatants and the generation of alternative sources of income for opium farmers.