Following is a statement by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, on the attack on United Nations Headquarters in Iraq:

UNITED NATIONS, New York – All my colleagues at UNFPA and I are extremely saddened and horrified by the explosion at United Nations Headquarters, Baghdad, which wounded many people and took the lives of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, other international personnel and innocent Iraqis.

As Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated, Mr. de Mello was an outstanding servant of humanity, dedicated to relieving the suffering of his fellow men and women, helping them resolve their conflicts and rebuild their war-torn societies. He worked as United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, High Commissioner for Human Rights and as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Kosovo and Timor-Leste. In Iraq, he was working to help the Iraqi people regain control of their own destiny and build a future of peace and full independence. It is tragic that he has now given his life in that cause, along with others who, like him, were devoted and much-valued servants of the United Nations.

We grieve deeply for all those who have died and sympathize with their families and loved ones.