Kabul, Afghanistan 28 Jul 2008 - International Rescue Committee colleagues and family members held a ceremony in Logar, Afghanistan on July 17 to commemorate the first anniversary of the murder of IRC staff member Akram Mohammad Gul and his driver Mustafa Sayed Abdullah. The two were shot and killed during an ambush on their car as they were driving to work in the Charkh district of Logar, where the IRC is a partner of the National Solidarity Program, a nationwide community development project.
 
Akram Mohammad Gul was 40 years old and worked as a social organizer for the National Solidarity Program. Mustafa Sayed Abdullah was 28 years old and worked as a rental vehicle driver.
 
Although no firm conclusions were ever reached about who killed the two men, it is believed that the murders were linked to anti-government violence in the region. In general, Afghanistan has experienced a dramatic upsurge in violence over the last two years, much of it carried out by a resurgent Taliban and other loosely-affiliated groups. Recent months have seen the highest levels of insurgency-related security incidents since the ouster of the Taliban government in 2002.
 
The simple ceremony held in the IRC’s field office in Logar included prayers, recitations from the Koran and a lunch, and was attended by the staff of the Logar office, senior members of the country management team and the families of Akram and Mustafa.
 
Despite the deteriorating security situation, the IRC is carrying on with its programs, but at reduced levels in some areas. Ciaran Donnelly, the IRC’s country director, said that activities in the volatile southeast of the country have been especially affected. Three district sub-offices of the IRC’s National Solidarity Program having been attacked and destroyed since March, Donnelly said.
 
“Thankfully, no one was injured in these attacks, but they are a reminder of the dangers our staff face on a daily basis,” Donnelly said. “However, as in the aftermath of the tragic deaths of Akram and Mustafa, I am constantly inspired by the professionalism and courage of our staff as they cope with these challenges and their commitment to serving the people of Afghanistan.”
 
Donnelly said that along with the decline in security there has been an increase in general lawlessness, which is impacting the humanitarian aid community. The IRC field office in the western city of Herat was the subject of an attempted armed robbery last weekend. The robbery was averted when a neighbor noticed unusual activity inside the office and notified the police. The police arrived in time to prevent any significant theft and arrested two of the four robbers, who had beaten and bound the office’s guards.
 
“Across the country, aid groups are expressing serious concern about how security problems are placing restrictions on their work. This could have disastrous consequences if it prevents us from reaching the people we serve,” Donnelly said.

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Overview: The IRC in Afghanistan

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