World Vision: Pakistan attack "brutal and senseless"

World Vision: Pakistan attack "brutal and senseless"

World Vision is mourning the brutal and senseless deaths of seven members of staff in the Mansehra district of Pakistan after an unprovoked attack by gunmen last Wednesday.

The international humanitarian organisation has confirmed reports that gunmen entered their compound, threw grenades, opened fire on staff inside the office and left the compound after exploding a self-made bomb.

The compound is located north of Mansehra town in Pakistan.

In addition to the six killed at the time, eight employees were hospitalised with injuries. One later died from his injuries, and two remain in hospital in a stable condition.

No threatening letters were received prior to this attack.

World Vision’s relief and development work in Pakistan is conducted by local citizens and local leaders have strongly condemned the attack.

All of World Vision’s operations in the country have been suspended.

World Vision remembers those staff who have died as dedicated people seeking to improve the lives of people affected by poverty and disasters.

Since 1992, World Vision has primarily focused on relief interventions in Pakistan. The work expanded in 2001, when the agency began collaborating with other aid groups in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab Province with emergency relief assistance and community development initiatives.

After the devastating October 2005 earthquake, World Vision expanded its operations in Pakistan.

15 March 2010