Brussels, 14/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The spokesman for Commissioner Poul Nielson told the press on Friday that the withdrawal of the humanitarian staff from Afghanistan is being carried out upon instructions received from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations concerned. The decision to make a provisional withdrawal, taken following the attacks on the United States earlier this week, is a "temporary measure of precaution". The Commission has not taken any decision to suspend Community aid. The humanitarian projects, financed by ECHO (the Community's Humanitarian Office) and implemented by 25 partner NGOs on the ground continue to be ensured by the Afghan personnel employed by the United Nations. The International Red Cross Committee also has staff on the ground.
EUROPE recalls that ECHO and the partner NGOs have their headquarters in Islamabad, in Pakistan, where the delegation of the European Commission is established.