IOM SHOCKED AND SADDENED

BY BAGHDAD BOMB ATTACK


- The Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Brunson McKinley has expressed his deep shock at the death of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello and of other UN staff following yesterday's bomb attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

McKinley said, „Many lives were tragically cut short and we mourn the death of our UN colleagues. We hope this is just a temporary setback. We will push on with our work, together with our UN colleagues, to bring assistance to Iraqis.“

No casualties were reported amongst IOM staff in Iraq, who have been all accounted for.

The IOM has been working in Iraq to assist internally displaced persons, provide medical evacuation to wounded Iraqis and rebuild the country's infrastructure.

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About IOM:

With 101 member states, 31 observer states and a wide variety of contributing civil society organizations, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:

Uphold the human dignity and well being of migrants. Encourage social and economic development through migration.Assist in meeting operational challenges of migration.Advance understanding of migration issues.




I O M N E W S R E L E A S E
No. 864
20 August 2003
IOM
17, route des Morillons
CH - 1211 GENEVA 19
SWITZERLAND
Internet: http://www.iom.int