Afghanistan violence levels 'worst since 2001'
Violence in Afghanistan extending to previously unaffected areas
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Friday, 01, Aug 2008 12:51
Violence in Afghanistan has reached its worst levels since the 2001 invasion, a coalition of non-governmental organisations has claimed.
According to the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar) 19 aid workers have already been killed this year, already exceeding the number who died in 2007.
An increase in air strikes resulting in collateral damage has had an impact on the wider death toll but an upsurge in suicide bombings has had a greater impact, it says.
Acbar says 463 civilians died in May and 569 in June, making this the worst period of violence since the Taliban were ousted from Kabul in November 2001.
Last month the Afghan capital was hit by its worst ever bombing, when over 60 were killed, but Acbar is now warning the violence is spreading to areas which were previously relatively unstable.
With food prices rising and much of the country hit by a severe drought, there are growing concerns among NGOs they may have to begin restricting their aid efforts as a result.
The UN is seeking to convince NGOs to maintain their vital support for ordinary Afghans.
Spokesperson Aleem Siddique was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying: "We need the continued support of NGOs and the international community if we are to prevent further suffering.
"It is imperative that they remain committed to Afghanistan, the needs of its people cannot be met by the government and the UN alone."
According to Acbar over 12,000 people have died in violence since 2006.