WHO and UNICEF condemn attacks on health workers in Pakistan

Islamabad: The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF join the Government of Pakistan and the provinces of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in condemning the multiple attacks that have killed six health workers in the past 24 hours.

At least six people working on a polio vaccination campaign have been reported shot dead in several locations in Pakistan – Gadap, Landi, Baldia and Orangi towns of Karachi city, Sindh Province and Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Those killed were among thousands who work selflessly across Pakistan to eradicate polio.

The Government of Pakistan and the affected provinces have temporarily suspended the vaccination campaign due to concerns over safety of health workers.

Such attacks deprive Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations – especially children – of basicof the Free Syrian Army.

Adday says it is too dangerous for him to stay in Syria. “Once a soldier deserts, the regime immediately goes after his family. And I didn’t even have a gun to protect myself since I was a [tank] driver,” he told FRANCE 24.

The actual strength of the Free Syrian Army, or the influence it wields from exile, is difficult to measure. But President Assad, who is facing unprecedented pressure to step down from power, is taking the threat seriously.

Since March of this year, Syrian authorities have countered a growing protest movement with a violent crackdown that has claimed the lives of at least 3,000 people, according to the United Nations. France and the United States have called for strong UN sanctions against Assad, but