Neal Keny-Guyer
Chief Executive Officer
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We are very happy and relieved to inform you that three members of our Pakistan team have been released after nearly five months in captivity. All three are unharmed and are being reunited with their families in Pakistan.
The three team members are Dr. Syed Asif Abbas, age 50, Iftikhar Shafiq, age 34, and Beeburg Suleman, age 27. They were abducted on February 18, 2010 when their vehicle was intercepted en route to our office in Quetta. Our colleagues were working with local district health officials in Balochistan to implement health programs.
The past five months have been an extremely difficult time for our Pakistan and global teams. Emotions are surely mixed. While we celebrate the safe return of our three colleagues, we are still mourning the loss of our fourth abducted team member, Habibullah, who was killed by his captors earlier last month.
We send warmest thoughts and wishes to our released colleagues, and their families and friends in Pakistan. We will stand by them in the coming days, providing comprehensive support to ensure that they are physically and emotionally healthy, as well as financially stable.
We know that many of you are wondering about the future of our programs in Pakistan. At this time, our Pakistan programs are still suspended and undergoing review. While we remain deeply committed to the people of Pakistan, the safety of our team remains our number one priority. We need to ensure that, if our work continues, it can be done effectively and without putting our team at risk.
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- Countries: Pakistan
Comments
Elisabeth Mees ten Oever
July 20, 2010 7:28AM
Could you convey my congratulations to the three released Mercy Corps members and their family. This is indeed a joyous occasion! I will hold them in my prayers.
But could you also convey my condolances to the family of Habibullah. To loose your loved one in the middle of life is hard in the best circumstances, but to loose a loved one in the circumstances described is very hard indeed. I will hold them in my prayers.
Much love, Elisabeth.
Lori Ahmed
August 10, 2010 2:44PM
It is tragic that the very people who were working to help Pakistan, suffered so at the hands of their captors. My deepest condolances to Habibullah's family. As an American, with loved ones and family in Pakistan, and who has spent very positive time there and love the country....it is also tragic to me that so many people are suffering now, because of flooding. Suffering, with less help and care than they could have had if it were safer for organizations to be there, assisting. I can only hope that the environement for aid work there improves, so that the millions of people who now are suffering because of the floods, can get the basic assistance they so desperately need.
Javed zia
October 15, 2010 9:38AM
Sir i have no coment i have some problam plz help me i am javed zia i am workd in mercy corps project ECTB balochistan jaffrabd in 2 years sir now i need help sir my home and anything clear in flood i am not write more english sir plz help me and my velage mehar ali khosa near of sohbat pur balochistan thrw other enjeoz BRSP And UNCHR TURKI FAUNDTION plz i tuk mercy corps rispons plz plz plz i pry any time
Kaveri Harriss
July 15, 2010 1:22AM
Thank you so very, very much for all the work that must have been going on behind the scenes to secure the release of the three staff. It was such a terrifying ordeal. Thank you so much for coming through. Best wishes, Kaveri Harriss