Why would a suicide bomber target the World Food Programme in Pakistan?
The recent suicide attack on the World Food Programme (WFP), which killed five United Nations employees, is only one of many deadly attacks against humanitarian workers in the region. The ongoing war in Afghanistan, and its spread to Pakistan, has undermined the neutrality of humanitarian organizations, like UN aid agencies and private non-governmental charities. The Taliban, al-Qaeda and Pakastani militant groups view aid workers as enemies, blatantly disregarding the traditional neutrality enjoyed by humanitarians. Acts like the WFP attack further the Taliban/al-Qaeda strategy of destabilization. They view feeding and helping refugees as a hostile act because it helps the reconstruction effort and increases the legitimacy of the government (and the interveners). The Taliban also hopes to force the withdrawal of international aid organizations, which would eliminate witnesses to human rights abuses committed by the insurgents. Many organizations have withdrawn or curtailed operations
