Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 2 March 2021

United Nations Pakistan

PRESS RELEASE

Islamabad, 1st March 2021: The United Nations Pakistan Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Julien Harneis, visited Peshawar in the context of recent incident in North Waziristan where four female trainers were shot and killed, and their driver injured. He met with the Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan, to express his deepest condolences to the families and the Government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also met with representatives of Non-Government Organisations and the United Nations.

In his meeting with the Additional Chief Secretary the Resident Coordinator was updated on the continuing work of the government to improve the development and rule of law in the Newly Merged Districts. Julien Harneis condemned the killings of the four trainers, reiterated the support of the UN country team in this effort, and to continue to do so in a coordinated way that enhances the safety of all.

Julien Harneis met with the National Non-Government Organizations and expressed his appreciation and understanding for their difficult work in a challenging context. The representatives made proposals on how to better ensure the duty of care of their staff and how to improve staff safety through improved coordination with the government and the United Nations, training and information sharing.

With the heads of United Nations agencies in Peshawar, Julien Harneis reviewed their development work in the Newly Merged Districts and in particular the work to improve the situation of women and girls together with communities.

The RC was accompanied by other senior officials from the FAO, OCHA and DSS.

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