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UNDP is saddened that the death toll in the bombings at the UN offices and a related attack near the Algerian high court has now reached 11 UN staffers, including four from UNDP, and that there were many fatalities among the wider Algerian population. Words cannot express the sorrow that UNDP feels for each and every one of the victims, their families, and the wider community.

Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator and Chair of the UN Development Group, representing many other UN agencies, is in Algiers to express his support for UN staff and the people of Algeria. He will visit injured UN staff and the families of those who have perished. At the Secretary-General’s request, and in consultation with the UN Development Group, he will also take stock of the overall situation and report back.

The situation in Algiers remains fluid and it is possible that additional UNDP staff remain unaccounted for. The building which housed UNDP and a large number of sister agencies was destroyed and rescue workers are continuing to search through the rubble. UNDP is sending in trauma counselors, operational support and telecommunications expertise to assist the UN in its effort to deal with this tragedy.

Mr. Dervis said: “I do hope that beyond the words of condemnation, the international community and member states will realize that concrete actions of support for the United Nations and for development and humanitarian workers are of the utmost importance.”