SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS EFFORTS OF CHAD GOVERNMENT ON ATTEMPTED

ABDUCTION OF 103 CHILDREN, PROMISES UN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

This is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General supports ongoing efforts by the Government of Chad to find a solution to the attempted abduction of 103 children from Chad by addressing their immediate needs, attempting to quickly identify and reunite them with their families, and ensuring that proper legal processes are followed.

Senior United Nations officials in the region have already expressed their strong reaction at the actions of the relevant non-governmental organization.  The Secretary-General believes that this incident underscores the urgent need for all concerned individuals, organizations and institutions to fully respect international legal instruments on the protection of children.

The Secretary-General offers his assurances that United Nations humanitarian assistance will continue to be provided to vulnerable civilians in Chad, including for the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people, refugees and host communities.  He is confident that the Government of Chad will continue to work closely with the United Nations and its partners to address humanitarian and development needs in the country promptly.

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For information media • not an official record