EU: Hassan execution makes relief work 'almost impossible'
The claimed execution of Irish aid worker Margaret Hassan makes relief efforts “almost impossible” to carry out in Iraq, the EU said today.
Poul Nielson, the EU’s departing development commissioner condemned the apparent killing of Mrs Hassan, who spent decades bringing food and medicine to Iraqis, working for the humanitarian group CARE International.
“I was horrified to learn about the reported brutal murder of Margaret Hassan,” Nielson said. “My thoughts are with her family, and with the needy people of Iraq who have lost such a good friend … a true humanitarian.
“This kind of savagery makes it almost impossible for relief agencies to continue their crucial work in Iraq,” Nielson said.
Nielson recalled that CARE has been a long-standing partner of the EU’s humanitarian aid office, Echo, in Iraq, receiving EU funds “for almost a decade”.
The EC has so far refused to send in its own humanitarian aid workers to Baghdad, saying it cannot guarantee their safety.
It is running its aid efforts through other groups, including CARE and the International Red Cross.
The EU has committed more than €285m in humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Iraq this year.
A similar commitment is expected next year.
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