Reacting to the attack on the Save the Children offices in Afghanistan today, S&D Group vice-presidents Elena Valenciano MEP and Victor Boștinaru MEP said: 

“We utterly condemn this horrific attack on the humanitarian organisation in Jalalabad.
 
“Civil society organisations such as Save the Children are present on the ground in Afghanistan precisely to protect the lives of vulnerable children facing the horrors of conflict. It is an extraordinary act of malice to target aid workers, and a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
 
“We express our sincere condolences and solidarity with the victims and their families, as the aftermath of this terrorist attack unfolds.
 
“As the European Parliament acknowledged in its resolution last month, Afghanistan is facing enormous challenges in human development and access to healthcare and education, under the threat of terrorism. In this context, international and local civil society organisations are providing vital services, especially for children.
 
“We strongly reaffirm our support to the Afghan government and humanitarian and development organisations to freely and securely provide a lifeline and a future for the children of Afghanistan.”