The spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, has confirmed the decision of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to keep all its workers at home for the time being, explaining that the organization cannot "ensure your safety".
"We do this for your safety, especially that of our female workers. We have to keep paying them, and we know that if we were to ask them to go to the offices despite the ban, we would be exposing them to great personal risk."Dujarric explained this Tuesday during a press conference.
In addition, asked if the Taliban have given any security guarantee to the women workers of the UN or other NGOs, even if they stay at home, Dujarric has confirmed that "there is no guarantee for your safety".
Meanwhile, the UN, like other NGOs, continues its humanitarian aid work: "All this (the ban on women’s work in the country) is having a negative impact, but that does not mean that humanitarian aid is not being delivered.".
Specifically, the medical care of girls and women is at risk, although the spokesperson explained that in this area the veto has affected each province differently, describing the situation as "confused".
"This puts us in a horrible situation, and it puts the Afghans in a horrible situation."lamented the spokesman. "We have to find a way to continue helping the Afghan people, especially women and girls, without violating our humanitarian principles."has added.
Dujarric has also confirmed that they remain in contact with the Taliban in order to seek long-term solutions.
The UN has restricted for several weeks the face-to-face work of all its employees, both men and women, pending an examination of the effects of a veto that "It is illegal" under international law. The review process will continue until May 5.
With the, "the ‘de facto’ Taliban authorities seek to force the United Nations to make a terrible decision between staying and continuing to support the Afghan people or adhering to the norms and principles that we are obliged to respect"explained the mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).