At approximately 4:00 p.m. local time in Kabul, kidnappers claimed to have killed Clementina Cantoni. CARE International has no way of verifying this information. We are in contact with the Cantoni family, and the appropriate government authorities in Afghanistan and Italy. We continue to hope for the best.
Clementina, 32 years old, has spent the last 10 years dedicated to humanitarian work in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Since September 2003, she has managed the "Humanitarian Assistance for the Women of Afghanistan" project, providing food assistance and income-generating activities for 10,000 widows and 50,000 children.
Until the reports can be officially confirmed or denied, we urge all parties to maintain consideration for Clementina's safety and the sensitivity of the situation.
