本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛OTTAWA (CP) - A Canadian humanitarian aid worker was kidnapped in southern Iraq, the Foreign Affairs Department said Thursday.
Fadi Ihsan Fadel was taken hostage while doing work for the New York City-based International Rescue Committee, a non-governmental organization. "We are currently seeking further information on his status, whereabouts and well-being and hope he will be released soon," said Foreign Affairs spokesman Sameer Ahmed. A statement from Fadi's brother released late Thursday said his family is in a state of shock.
"We are terrified and bewildered that this could have happened to someone who has devoted his life to helping children," Ghayas Fadel said.
The statement said Fadi was "a man of endless compassion for people in need, especially children.
"That's why he felt compelled to go to Iraq three months ago to help innocent children who have been exposed to terrible things," he said.
According to the statement the family emigrated to Canada when Fadi, a 33-year-old Syrian-born Canadian citizen, was 19.
Efforts to free Fadel are being handled by the Canadian Embassy in Jordan, Ahmed said. "We have a variety of activities under way."
The family called for Fadel's quick and safe release.
"We pray that Fadi's captors will realize that this brave and gentle man has no other agenda than to help the children of Iraq."
The International Rescue Committee said Fadel was taken hostage by the local militia in southern Iraq.
The agency said that Fadel was abducted early Wednesday morning local time from the IRC residence in Najaf.
Fadel manages a UNICEF-funded program that provides humanitarian assistance for vulnerable children and youth in southern Iraq, the agency said in a statement on its website.
These activities have included the rehabilitation of a youth centre, the distribution of wheelchairs to injured children in Najaf and support to local schools, the IRC said.
"Mr. Fadel is a committed humanitarian aid worker who is in Iraq solely to assist conflict-affected Iraqi communities. On humanitarian grounds, we appeal to his captors to release him unharmed," the agency said.
The Canadian Press, 2004
04/9/2004 0:14 EST更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Fadi Ihsan Fadel was taken hostage while doing work for the New York City-based International Rescue Committee, a non-governmental organization. "We are currently seeking further information on his status, whereabouts and well-being and hope he will be released soon," said Foreign Affairs spokesman Sameer Ahmed. A statement from Fadi's brother released late Thursday said his family is in a state of shock.
"We are terrified and bewildered that this could have happened to someone who has devoted his life to helping children," Ghayas Fadel said.
The statement said Fadi was "a man of endless compassion for people in need, especially children.
"That's why he felt compelled to go to Iraq three months ago to help innocent children who have been exposed to terrible things," he said.
According to the statement the family emigrated to Canada when Fadi, a 33-year-old Syrian-born Canadian citizen, was 19.
Efforts to free Fadel are being handled by the Canadian Embassy in Jordan, Ahmed said. "We have a variety of activities under way."
The family called for Fadel's quick and safe release.
"We pray that Fadi's captors will realize that this brave and gentle man has no other agenda than to help the children of Iraq."
The International Rescue Committee said Fadel was taken hostage by the local militia in southern Iraq.
The agency said that Fadel was abducted early Wednesday morning local time from the IRC residence in Najaf.
Fadel manages a UNICEF-funded program that provides humanitarian assistance for vulnerable children and youth in southern Iraq, the agency said in a statement on its website.
These activities have included the rehabilitation of a youth centre, the distribution of wheelchairs to injured children in Najaf and support to local schools, the IRC said.
"Mr. Fadel is a committed humanitarian aid worker who is in Iraq solely to assist conflict-affected Iraqi communities. On humanitarian grounds, we appeal to his captors to release him unharmed," the agency said.
The Canadian Press, 2004
04/9/2004 0:14 EST更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net