IRC aid workers killed in Afghanistan

The staff of the Bernard van Leer Foundation would like to share our deepest regrets with the families and colleagues of the four aid workers that were killed while working for the International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan on August 13th, 2008. We are shocked and saddened by this event - and we are reminded of the senseless violence affecting so many people around the world.

Mohammad Aimal, Shirley Case, Nicole Dial and Jackie Kirk were all committed to fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable children and their families. Each of them was working for change, putting themselves in harm’s way in the hope that they could provide some comfort and support to others.

We know that Jackie, in particular, had a strong commitment to and love for young children – a mission very close to the heart of this Foundation. We know this because some of our staff had the privilege of working with and meeting her over the past year and were always impressed by her passion and zeal.

We would like to take this time to mourn her loss and that of her colleagues and to celebrate their lives and their commitment to social change.