JACQUELINE KIRKDr Jacqueline Kirk, a university researcher and humanitarian, was one of four aid workers killed when militants opened fire on their vehicle in southern Afghanistan on 13 August, 2008.The 40-year-old was a joint citizen of Britain and Canada and had been working for the International Rescue Committee since 2004, providing support for the agency’s education programmes with her academic experience.The others killed in the attack were Nicole Dial, 30, a dual citizen of Trinidad and the US, Shirley Case, 30, of Canada, and Mohammad Aimal, 25, an Afghan driver for the IRC.The New York-based organisation ceased its humanitarian operations after the tragedy and said its car was clearly marked as belonging to the IRC.George Rupp, president of the IRC, said: “We are stunned and profoundly saddened by this tragic loss. These extraordinary individuals were deeply committed to aiding the people of Afghanistan, especially the children who have seen so much strife. Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan.”Dr Kirk had recently been appointed adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at McGill University in Quebec where her husband Andy is associate dean of the Faculty of Engineering.She had previously worked as a research fellow at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.Heather Munroe-Blum, principal and vice-chancellor of McGill said: “Our hearts go out to her family. This is truly tragic. Jackie was engaged in important work trying to improve the lives of people in Afghanistan, which was closely tied to her research on women’s access to education in developing countries.”
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