Violence affects aid work in Pakistan

A Chinese engineer was shot and wounded on Thursday by unidentified men outside a bank in Pakistan's commercial hub, Karachi, the latest act of violence in the city.

Rising violence in Pakistan – from drive-by shootings to attacks by militants – has caused international concern, not least of which comes from aid agencies which operate in the country.

“There’s no question [the lack of security] has an impact,” says Michael O’Brien, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Pakistan. “It stops us in some places from reaching people who need assistance, and we need to bring them to us.”

He told Vatican Radio the situation is better when they have local staff, who can then do much of the implementation in the field.

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Michael O'Brien: