World Vision suspended activities in Iraq last month, however delayed the announcement due to Margaret Hassan's situation.

International relief and development agency, World Vision, has suspended its operations in Iraq indefinitely, after more than 18 months of emergency response work assisting more than half-a-million people.

"Due to an increase in violent activity, World Vision has decided it is impossible to continue its work in the current insecure environment," said National Director, Ian Curtis.

World Vision is profoundly saddened by the brutal death of Margaret Hassan, of fellow aid organization CARE, and expresses its heartfelt condolences to her husband, family, and all CARE colleagues in Iraq and throughout the world. World Vision also mourns, along with his family and friends, the death of our Iraqi colleague, Mohammed Hushiar, who fell victim to the continuing senseless killings in northern Iraq.

"World Vision's programs were due for completion in mid-2005, therefore most projects were moving to an end anyhow. The security situation is such that phasing out earlier became the best option," said Curtis. "We have achieved an unbelievable amount in Iraq, considering the insecure environment we have been working in. We cannot predict when World Vision will return to Iraq. We will continue to review the situation."

World Vision is an international Christian relief and development organization active in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.