Washington, DC - In response to the massacre of 10 volunteer medical workers for the International Assistance Mission in Badakshan Province in Afghanistan, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, has issued the following statement:

"In the wake of this outrage our hearts go out to the victims' loved ones and colleagues. It is also a profound loss for the many people, Afghan and others, who face danger daily while working toward a better future for Afghanistan.

"This grim incident underscores the importance of a continued commitment to improving Afghanistan's future. Even as we grieve for the lives lost, we cannot waver in our resolve. The stakes are too high, as this latest atrocity illustrates all too clearly."

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