Two Aid Workers Killed in Pakistan

by Michael Bear · 2009-02-05 13:27:00 UTC
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Depressing news to follow on yesterday’s post about attacks against aid workers. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has reported that two of its staff were killed Sunday in northwestern Pakistan.

According to the MSF press release:

“Riaz Ahmad (24) and Nasar Ali (27) had left Mingora, the main town in Swat valley, in two ambulances to collect people injured during fighting in nearby Charbagh and bring them to the hospital for treatment. At around 3.00pm local time their ambulances, clearly identified as medical vehicles, came under fire inside Charbagh and both were killed. A third volunteer worker for MSF was injured in the leg. The drivers escaped without injury.

‘We are profoundly shocked and saddened by the death of our colleagues,’ said Fasil Tezera, Head of Mission in Pakistan for MSF. ‘In any conflict situation, including Swat, it is absolutely imperative that all parties resolutely respect humanitarian medical assistance, medical personnel and medical facilities.’

The deaths of the two medical workers occurred on a day of heavy fighting in Swat that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians.

He continued, ‘The day our colleagues Nasar and Riaz were killed was their day off, but they had come to work anyway because they’d heard there were large numbers of people wounded in fighting who needed urgent medical assistance. They volunteered because of their strong desire to help others. They will be greatly missed - their dedication to bringing medical aid to people who urgently required it, under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions, was an inspiration to many inside MSF and beyond. We share the deep sorrow of their families and friends and right now our priority is to support them as much as we can.’

MSF has completely suspended its medical activities in Swat, including all life-saving operations.

Intense fighting continues to rage in Swat today, trapping the entire civilian population. The extreme violence has displaced approximately 25,000 people in the area. MSF is unable to provide any assistance.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Riaz Ahmad and Nasar Ali’s families and colleagues.

[Photo from MSF]

Michael Bear
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