Newsroom

In the wake of the Algiers terrorist bombings of 11 December 2007, the entire United Nations family mourns the loss of all of the victims of the attacks, including 11 of its own dedicated staff, mostly Algerian citizens.  Five are still missing.

Kemal Dervis, the UNDP Administrator and Chair of the United Nations Development Group, representing the Secretary-General and the entire UN family, arrived in Algiers on 12 December and proceeded immediately to the site of the attack of the UN offices to see first-hand the recovery efforts. He met with the families of victims and offered the condolences of all UN staff across the world. 

“I  am here to offer my support to the families of those killed in the attacks and to send to the people of Algeria a strong message of solidarity from the United Nations,” he said.

Mr. Dervis also met with members of the UN Country Team, with representatives from several UN development and humanitarian agencies whose staff also sustained casualties.  The top priority on all their minds is the well-being of all UN staff, of Algerian citizens and the support to the families of the dead and wounded.  After the meeting, Mr. Dervis visited those injured in the attack who are currently receiving medical care in Algerian hospitals.

“It was so saddening for me to see with my own eyes the impact of this attack on colleagues so committed to helping create sustainable livelihoods for Algeria’s poor, supporting access to justice, strengthening the national Parliament and promoting environmental protection.  The victims are not soldiers who signed up for battle, but people, mostly Algerians, who are working for peace, development and to alleviate human suffering”, he said.

In his meetings with Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Prime Minister of Algeria, today Mr. Dervis underlined that the United Nations family is committed to being a strong partner to Algeria along the road to greater prosperity for all Algerians. He also stressed that this commitment is coupled with a responsibility on the part of the host government – on the part of all UN Members States – to ensure adequate security provisions are in place so that UN staff can carry out their important work without fear for their safety.

“We appreciate all the government’s efforts with the rescue operation.  We are committed to continue working in Algeria.  But staff security is of the utmost importance to us and host governments around the world have to do their maximum to provide protection for our offices,” he affirmed.

“The UN  represents and embodies the international community as a whole.  We are politically neutral and work for development, peace and humanitarian causes, in the interest of humanity. This is and must remain the only driver of our actions.  It is very important that these principles are respected and observed by all”.