31 March 2010 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, has expressed his condolences over and condemned an attack on the office of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Khost, Afghanistan on 27 March, which severely injured a long-time highly respected German aid worker and killed an Afghan engineer. UN Radio report

Visiting the offices of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in Gardez yesterday, Mr de Mistura thanked the local UN staff who assisted in the rescue of the German aid worker Wolfgang Herdt and recovered the body of the Afghan engineer Said Anwar, of Wardak who worked for the GTZ implementing partner .

Another Afghan staff member of GTZ was also shot but is expected to make a full recovery.

Mr Herdt had worked in the region for nearly seven years and was a close and very appreciated partner of the UN in Khost, as well as of the local Afghan community.

“I am moved by the outpouring of grief from local Afghans over this attack on a foreign aid worker,” Special Representative de Mistura said.

“The intent of such an act of violence against someone who devoted his life to bettering the situation of Afghan people is inexplicable. My Afghan colleagues have said they want to continue working and working hard for the development of this province. That is a sign of courage and of hope for the country. We all wish Wolfgang a speedy and complete recovery.”

Mr Herdt has been flown to Germany for further medical care.