UNICEF: An attack on our principles

NEW YORK, USA, 10 June 2009 The continuing violence in northwest Pakistan claimed yet more lives yesterday, when a vehicle forced its way into the car park of the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar and exploded. Among those killed in the attack was Perseveranda So, 52, who served as Chief of Education in UNICEFs Islamabad office.

Ms. So, known to her friends and colleagues as Persy, was a citizen of the Philippines. She had worked with UNICEF since 1994, and previously worked for several years with the development arm of the Philippine Department of Education.

In a statement, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman called Ms. So a dedicated and highly committed staff member, who worked with grace and determination as Chief of Education in Pakistan, earning the respect and admiration of all those with whom she came into contact.

At the time of the bombing, the hotel was housing many humanitarian workers there to provide life-saving assistance to Pakistans most vulnerable people, said Ms. Veneman. This is an attack on the very humanitarian principles to which Persy was dedicated, and it is reprehensible and unacceptable.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/pakistan_49947.html

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