Wednesday August 19, 2009, 4:01 am
Two Afghan civilian employees of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan were among those killed in a suicide bomb attack on a NATO convoy in Kabul on Tuesday, in a stark reminder of the accelerating toll.

Last year, a record 260 humanitarian aid workers from different agencies and charities were victims of kidnappings and attacks, including 122 who were killed, according to the United Nations.

August 19 is the anniversary of the 2003 truck bomb attack on the UN headquarters at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad.

Twenty-two people including UN envoy and human rights chief Sergio Vieira de Mello were killed there, as they sought to help Iraq rebuild after the US invasion and fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

"The Canal Hotel bombing rocked the UN system to its core," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a poignant tribute to Vieira de Mello, one of her predecessors, and the "selfless, often unrewarding and sometimes dangerous" work of aid staff.

"Killing those who are trying to help others is a particularly despicable crime, and one which all governments should join forces to prevent, and -- when prevention fails -- to punish," she added in a statement to mark humanitarian day.

In the last three years, attacks have risen by 61 percent and the annual average is now almost three times higher than it was nine years ago, the UN said.

The event was due to be marked by a ceremony in Geneva, gathering the heads of several humanitarian agencies based there.

Pillay noted that the victims in Baghdad six years ago came from a variety of backgrounds and skills, but were all working "in the common belief that they could contribute to rebuilding Iraq."

"Would they have succeeded, if the August 19 bomb had not exploded? Would the ensuing years of horrendous inter-ethnic strife, killing, rape and other forms of abuse that plagued Iraq have been mitigated or largely avoided? We shall never know," the UN human rights chief added.

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Happy World Humanitarian Day, everybody. A prayer and a candle to these brave and generous workers.

Wednesday August 19, 2009, 11:42 am
My daughter works for an NGO, Doctors Without Borders, in Gaza. Frequently, I have good reason to fear for her safety, One never can know when the brutal government of Israel would again send bomber and tanks into small Gaza. 50% of Gaza's population is 16 years old or younger, yet Israel attacked them with bombers and tanks already once this year and for 23 days,

Wednesday August 19, 2009, 4:12 pm
It takes a very special person to enter some of these areas to bring aid. It would be easy to lose hope when you hear of so many tragic deaths, abductions, etc., but fortunately, humans are resilient and press on against the odds. Betsy, I so admire your daughter.

Wednesday August 19, 2009, 9:47 pm
Michelle M thanx for the post. Our world is a sad place when it comes to the murders of these wonderful souls who regardless of the danger to themselves insist on bringing aid to the countries and its people's in need. These are Angels on Earth doing their most wonderful work. Very Special People.Brightest Blessings.

Thursday August 20, 2009, 3:09 am
Thannx.. we must always remember to honor those that have made the greatest sacrifice in making this world a better place...

Friday August 21, 2009, 9:37 am
Noted thank you Michelle.