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The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Burundi has strongly condemned an attack on an NGO vehicle in Bubanza province last week and called on all armed factions to adhere to international human rights and humanitarian law. In a statement, he urged the armed groups to stop targeting civilians and aid workers. “Humanitarian workers, often at great risk to themselves, are delivering much needed assistance to the most vulnerable populations throughout Burundi,” the statement noted. It recalled that the vehicle belonging to the British NGO Children’s Aid Direct (CAD) was stopped by a “man in uniform”.
The man opened fire on the vehicle, killing the driver, and seven more “heavily armed men” emerged from the bushes and took the remaining three CAD workers hostage. They were released after one and a half hours. Three international NGOs who have been operating in Bubanza - CAD, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Action contre la faim (ACF) - have suspended their activities in the province until further notice.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
