World Vision staffer succumbs to injuries after Wednesday’s brutal attack

Imtiaz John, a 34-year-old field coordinator who worked with World Vision since 2006 passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a wife, four month old child and extended family for whom he was the breadwinner. One other World Vision staff member remains hospitalised.

The seven staff members who have passed away as a result of the act of violence were:

• Faheem Saleem, 23, warehouse assistant, single
• Muhammad Ayaz, 27, engineer, single
• Zaryab Yousaf, 24, programme monitoring and evaluation assistant, single
• Liaqat Ali, 43, driver, married with six children
• Kehkashan Zia Mufti, 31, programme officer, single
• Jamshaid Ahmed, 36, advocacy officer, married with one child
• Imtiaz John, 34, field coordinator, married with one child

Our staff are motivated by a straightforward interest in providing a better life for children As staff, families and community members in Pakistan ask what motivated the militants responsible for last week’s attack, Charles Dokmo, World Vision’s Regional Vice President, re-directs the focus back to the heart of World Vision’s work.

“Our staff are motivated by a straightforward interest in providing a better life for children. Where extremists teach hate, our staff work with mothers and fathers to help needy children; where extremists sow violence, our staff work with farmers to plant the seeds of a more prosperous community, and where extremists encourage intolerance, our staff nurture respect for human life and human dignity”.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing and as yet no specific motive has been identified, other than the widely held belief that random attacks like the one in Mansehra district seek to destabilise society and create fear among the local population.

World Vision is continuing to operate its life-saving health activities in the north-west of the country but has suspended other programming for the time being.

A global memorial service will take place on Wednesday to remember and honour those who have passed away and to offer support and solidarity to staff and their families in Pakistan. All World Vision offices will participate.

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.

For media enquiries please contact Rienk van Velzen, Regional Communications Director on +31-6-5183 2040