Concern: Attacks may discourage aid work

The Irish aid agency Concern says it is worried that people will be put off aid and development work due to a rise in attacks and violence in recent years.

Figures being released to coincide with World Humanitarian Day today show that 2008 was the deadliest year in history for aid workers.

At least 260 were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured while carrying out their work.

Dublin woman Sharon Commins is still being held by hostage-takers in Sudan after she was kidnapped from a GOAL compound in Darfur at the start of July.