Poul Nielson deeply concerned about kidnap of aid workers in Baghdad

Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, has 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 Commission's 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. "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."

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