Iraq: UNHCR expresses concern, condolences over killing of Intersos staffer

UNHCR expresses its grave concern and condolences over the killing in Iraq on Tuesday (25 Sept.) of a staff member of one of our humanitarian partners, Intersos. The 31-year-old Iraqi aid worker was kidnapped by armed militia members on Tuesday. His body and that of a friend were later located at a morgue.

For the security of surviving relatives, we are not naming the victim, who had worked with Intersos since July 2003 and in a UNHCR-supported Protection and Aid Centre since 2004. Initial reports indicate that the murder was an act of militia retaliation against sectarian minorities in southern Iraq, and not deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers. Nevertheless, the killing follows the shooting and subsequent paralysis of another Intersos staff member in southern Iraq.

Because of the extremely difficult security conditions, humanitarian aid efforts in Iraq depend heavily on courageous Iraqi citizens like our Intersos colleague. His death is a tragic loss for his family, for his colleagues and for the overall humanitarian aid effort in Iraq.