GENEVA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR on Tuesday said its staff was attacked last Saturday in the northern town of Kaga Bandoro, in the Central African Republic (CAR), and strongly condemned the violence.
Andrej Mahecic, UNHCR spokesperson, told reporters during a regular press briefing that armed men entered UNHCR's premises in Kaga Bandoro around 5 p.m. and looted all goods and money on site.
"Six of our staff members, including four UNHCR and two UNDP (The United Nations Development Program)staff, who were present at the time of the incident were robbed of their belongings, including personal items and passports, and threatened at gun point," the spokesperson said.
UNHCR said that since the attack, UNHCR had temporarily relocated staff to a safer place.
"We condemn this attack and stand by our staff. The safety of aid workers is of tremendous importance for being able to help civilian populations in desperate need," the UNHCR spokesperson noted.
UNHCR figures showed that in CAR, UNHCR provides protection and assistance to more than 8,600 refugees and 503,000 internal displaced people.
