Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Tuesday expressed his deepest concern about the kidnapping of four humanitarian aid staff working for Italian NGOs in Baghdad. The agencies, which are partners of the Commissions Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), are involved in implementing EU-funded humanitarian aid programmes in Iraq.
These people are dedicated to delivering vital assistance to the most vulnerable victims of the crisis, said Mr Nielson, and added: The abduction of relief workers undermines basic humanitarian principles that are designed to relieve suffering in conflict zones. I call on the kidnappers to respect the impartiality of the humanitarian agencies and free the NGO staff unharmed.
Kilde: EU
