The United Nations Children’s Fund has appointed a new representative for Afghanistan

UNICEF said in a statement that it has appointed Fran Ekiza, who previously worked as the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, as its representative in Afghanistan.

Unicef said Fran has an extensive background in promoting humanitarian work in various regions and in troubled environments, and his work in the development sector and the United Nations has spanned more than two decades.

Mr. Ekiza begins his new role at a time when Afghanistan is facing its worst humanitarian crisis, with Taliban restrictions on women and girls, especially women working as aid workers, increasing, and UNICEF has suspended some of its programs in the country.