Catholic Relief Services Statement on Bombing of United Nations Headquarters in Iraq

Catholic Relief Services
Tuesday, 19 August 2003

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) condemns the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. "Our prayers go out to those who were injured and killed and to their families," said Ken Hackett, CRS President. "This is not just an attack on the UN but on the Iraqi people, many of whom were kept alive through years of sanctions by the efforts of the United Nations and their humanitarian work. The attack is an affront to all who work for peace and human rights." Among those killed in the blast was UN special representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, a friend and colleague of CRS.

CRS expresses its solidarity with the Iraqi people and will continue to work in partnership with them in their struggle to return their lives to normal. The needs of the Iraqi people continue to be great, and a secure and stable environment is necessary for the delivery of humanitarian aid. CRS, mindful of the continued violence against Iraqi civilians and U.S. troops, calls on the international community as well as the United States to take the necessary steps to ensure security in Iraq.

At the same time, the agency recognizes that the root causes of violence will not be addressed solely by increased troop presence. CRS is working with local partners to promote activities that foster greater understanding, tolerance and peace.

The agency has been working in Iraq since 1999, supporting a supplemental feeding program for children and pregnant women. Currently CRS is implementing a community action program with Save the Children, through its local partner Caritas Iraq. As part of this program, CRS is working in 25 villages in Southern Iraq to help rehabilitate infrastructure and support post-conflict recovery and reconciliation.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org