NEW YORK, MAY 30, 2013—Following an attack on an office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, which killed an ICRC staff member, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today strongly condemned violence against humanitarian workers and facilities.

“MSF calls on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to respect humanitarian workers as well as medical facilities, which must remain safe and neutral,” said Brice de le Vingne, MSF director of operations.

MSF’s thoughts are with the family of the victim and with our ICRC colleagues.

The need for impartial humanitarian assistance remains acute in Afghanistan.

“Violence undermines the capacity of humanitarian organizations to carry out their work, and ultimately results in serious consequences for Afghan people relying heavily on assistance,” de le Vingne said.

In Afghanistan, MSF works in Ahmad Shah Baba Hospital in eastern Kabul and Boost Hospital in Lashkargah, Helmand Province. In the north of the country MSF operates a trauma center in Kunduz, which provides lifesaving surgical services. The organization also manages a maternity hospital in the eastern province of Khost. In all locations, MSF provides medical care free of charge.

MSF relies solely on private donations for its work in Afghanistan and does not accept any government funding.