Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore on Deaths of 11 Children in Kandahar, Afghanistan

NEW YORK (April 30, 2018) – “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the attack which reportedly killed 11 children this morning while they were studying at a religious school in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province.

“The attack occurred when a car packed with explosives was driven into a military convoy as it passed by. The explosion on the road was so powerful that it seriously damaged the building on the side of the road where the children were studying.

“The 11 children who were killed were 6 to 11 years old.

“Children should not have to face death when they are trying to learn. Parents should not have to choose between their children’s education and their safety.

“I urge all parties to the conflict to protect children from ongoing violence across the country and to make sure that schools are, and remain, safe spaces.”

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org 
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org