Red Cross Worker Killed in Crossfire
by admin on Jul.16, 2009, under Non-Combatant Heroes
After a long day at the office moving boxes and securing the arrival of humanitarian supplies, Red Cross logistics coordinator Vatche Arslanian had just one more thing to do. Give a ride home to an employee who lived on the other side of Baghdad.It was a final act of kindness for the husky Canadian with the hearty laugh who dedicated much of his life to helping people in need.
Arslanian, 48, died April 8 when his car was caught in the crossfire between coalition and Iraqi troops. His employee was shot, but was able to run away. A day later, when the battle ended, Arslanian’s body was recovered, still clothed in his white Canadian Red Cross T-shirt, officials said. Read on…
Arslanian was a real force in Baghdad. He could speak Arabic, and this knowledge helped him help hundreds of Iraqis caught amidst the devastation. His work with the Red Cross enabled many Iraqis to get the food, water, and medical attention and supplies that they needed. Certainly he was a hero.
