The World Bank has learned with great sadness about the kidnapping and subsequent killing of five local workers in the town of Khanaqin in the Diyala Governorate of Iraq on Wednesday. While the motives are unknown, one can only discern that these men had become victims of terrorism. The crew was employed by the Hamorabi Company for Construction and Contracting. The state -owned enterprise had been contracted by the Ministry of Construction to implement part of a US$350 million World Bank-financed Emergency Operation for Development Project to repair the colossal infrastructure damage in several governorates north of Baghdad. This critical work continues to carry high risks. But the Bank has remained committed to supporting the Government of Iraq in reversing the impact of the conflict on public services and citizens’ livelihoods, while taking some measured risks. Sadly, these workers have become new victims of the tragedies in Iraq, and we offer our deepest condolences to their families. Such tragedies only serve to reinforce the resolve of the Bank, and the international community at large, to support the Government in its efforts to restore stability to Iraq and push forward its drive for prosperity and better living conditions for its citizens.
