World Vision is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic attack on the Plan International staff and office in Mansehra,
Pakistan yesterday.
Our prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, and with all the other staff members in Plan International. So far four people have been reported dead and nine
injured, while huge damage was caused to office buildings and vehicles. The violent action is disrupting the work of an INGO with a deep commitment for Pakistani children and local communities. World
Vision regrets that those children and families are affected as well.
At present, World Vision Pakistan continues its work in all areas, with the necessary precautions. Movement within
Mansehra town is restricted, trips from Islamabad to field are halted for the time being. Staff is to remain vigilant, and will not stay in their offices unnecessarily, to avoid making them easy
targets.
Together with the government the NGO community is working on gathering further information on the motive behind the attack and who was behind it. World Vision Pakistan's Crisis
Management Team is meeting regularly to discuss appropriate measures and next steps. World Vision Pakistan strongly hopes that its field activities will not be hampered, so it can continue to work
with communities in its area integrated programmes.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
The African continent is seen in a malaria map showing the risk of malaria, (red - stable, pink - unstable and grey - malaria free) released by the Malaria Atlas Project ...
