World Vision Massacre

[Sean Osborne]

Who: World Vision International

Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness;
Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
Inspired by our Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people.

We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Our Mission
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.

What: The entire office staff in Pakistan was butchered and murdered by Muslims.

Why: Because these true Christians did more than offer lip service and prayer. They put their money, time and very lives on the line to practice what they preach and to help Muslims devastated by the 2005 earthquake.

When: Today, just hours ago.

Terrorists execute World Vision workers
By Michael Edwards

There are concerns that aid groups are becoming targets for militant groups in Pakistan, after six aid workers were killed when militants struck a World Vision office in the North-West Frontier Province.

It is not the first time an aid group has been targeted and World Vision has suspended its operations in Pakistan. It is likely other groups will soon follow.

World Vision said the office was targeted because it was running programs to help women.

A group of about 15 gunmen stormed into the offices in the Mansehra district on Wednesday.

Witnesses say they gathered the staff together and then dragged them off one by one to a separate room, where they were executed.

Six Pakistani aid workers, including two women, were killed, and about six others were badly injured.

World Vision Australia chief executive Reverend Tim Costello says the group has now suspended its operations in Pakistan indefinitely.

"In the past there have been threats and the community have said to us, 'Let us deal with it, we want you here'," he said.

"So it's not as if there isn't a very strong basis of support within the community to do what we're doing.

"But in this instance no-one, it appears, could protect our staff and that's why then you have to say, whatever assurances, whatever the urgency and the priority and the need, you have to guarantee [the safety of] those staff."

It is not the first time an aid organisation has been targeted in the area. In February 2008, four local staff with the British-run aid group PLAN International were killed in a similar attack in the same area.


'No safety guarantee'

World Vision has been operating in the region since a massive earthquake struck the area in October 2005.

Reverend Costello says it is clear that militants are targeting aid workers.

"Employing women is an important statement, giving them opportunities for businesses, for education ... but it's provocative," he said.

"Most aid organisations have exactly the same philosophy and therefore are exposed to the same vulnerabilities."

Attacks by militant groups have killed more than 3,000 people in Pakistan since 2007.

In recent months, there has been a spike in the violence as the Pakistani military has conducted an offensive against the Taliban along the border with Afghanistan.

Reverend Costello says this recent attack will make all aid organisations nervous about operating in Pakistan.

"The tragedy is in the last 10 to 15 years, aid workers have become targets, and that wasn't the case before," he said.

"So the assessment really is now about a community that's desperately poor, that wants us there, but if you can't guarantee the safety of your staff you can't stay."

[WartHog]

Wow, the total hatred for Christians never ceases to amaze me, even though I know I should not be surprised by it.

[mattfivefour]

Indeed, Jim, Christians are hated ... as are all westerners ... by the Muslims. Never underestimate that hatred.

Here is World Vision International's report from their website:

Pakistan: Attack on World Vision staff brutal and senseless
10 Mar 2010

World Vision today is mourning the brutal and senseless deaths of six members of its staff in the Mansehra District of Pakistan after an unprovoked attack by gunmen.

The international humanitarian organisation confirms reports that gunmen entered its compound, threw grenades, opened fire on staff inside the office, and left the compound after exploding a homemade bomb. The compound is located 65 kilometres north of Mansehra town.

In addition to those killed, eight employees are hospitalised with injuries. Four of them were released from the hospital, while another four remain hospitalised in critical-but-stable condition.

No threatening letters were received prior to the attack. World Vision’s relief and development work in Pakistan is conducted by local citizens, and local leaders have strongly condemned the attack. World Vision sees the attack not only as an attack on its own local staff, but also on the Pakistani people themselves.

All of World Vision’s operations in the country have been suspended for the time being.

World Vision remembers those staff who died as dedicated people seeking to improve the lives of people affected by poverty and disasters.

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 a devastating October 2005 earthquake, World Vision expanded its operations in Pakistan.

[WazOz]

When will it be enough Lord? when will the suffering end? Come Now Lord Jesus

[MikeD]

This sort of thing just kind of leaves one speechless. How horrible! May the Lord Jesus Christ be with those who are still in the hospital and bring peace and comfort as only He can to the families of those who lost their lives! Yet, In Jesus Christ, did they loose?