May 9: We confirmed with our security team on the ground in Kabul that all Counterpart staff are safe and accounted for.  We were devastated to learn that four Afghan Public Protection Force officers were killed during the attack. We are incredibly grateful to these officers for protecting Counterpart staff and deeply saddened to lose them.

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Earlier today, Counterpart International’s office in Kabul was attacked by suicide bombers in a series of explosions. The attack started at 11:40am Kabul time with an explosion outside the entrance gates and was followed by a sustained gunfight as gunmen were able to gain entrance to the building. Afghan special forces responded to the explosion and officers cleared the offices.  The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

We remain in close contact with the security team, our staff, and partners on the ground to ascertain the safety and well-being of everyone who was targeted today.  From our last update with our security team, we believe that  Counterpart staff are safe and accounted for.  While we do not have certainty on the number of casualties, we were informed that Afghan police security officers stationed at our front gate were killed during the attack. We are devastated to have lost these members of the Counterpart family in today’s senseless attack.

Ann Hudock, President and CEO: “Today’s attack was an attack on innocent civilians, development professionals who dedicate their lives to improving the lives of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable, including women, youth, and the disabled. We are grateful for their tremendous service to people in need, especially in dire circumstances like today’s.”

The Counterpart International program office in Kabul runs civil society engagement programs in Afghanistan to encourage peace, increase youth participation, strengthen rights, and improve opportunities for women. We have worked in Afghanistan for more than 14 years.  This attack is the first of its kind in our long history there.

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09:52: Counterpart International’s office in Kabul was attacked at 1140 local time today by suspected suicide bombers in a series of explosions.  The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.  We are in close contact with our security team on the ground to account for our staff.

We are incredibly saddened by this attack and are working as quickly as possible to account for our staff.   Their safety and security is our primary concern.

Counterpart International runs a civil society engagement program in Afghanistan to encourage peace, increase youth participation, strengthen rights, and improve opportunities for women. We have worked in Afghanistan for more than 14 years.  This attack is the first of its kind in our long history there.

We will keep you updated as we learn more.