This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
U.S. optometrist, aid workers killed during mission to Afghanistan
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
An American optometrist and nine of his colleagues were gunned down Aug. 5 during an eye care mission in northern Afghanistan, according to press releases from the International Assistance Mission.
 Tom Little |
Tom Little, OD, 62, of New York State, was leader of the International Assistance Mission’s (IAM’s) Nuristan Eye Camp. Dr. Little and his civilian medical team had just finished navigating their three vehicles across a rain-swollen river when they were attacked by a group of armed men, according to a press release.
“Our own research suggests that the murders were not a robbery as initially reported in the press,” Dirk R. Frans, IAM executive director, said in an Aug. 12 press release. “We are now working on the assumption that the attack was an opportunistic ambush by a group of non-local fighters.”
The insurgent group killed all but one of the aid workers during the attack. Along with Dr. Little, the deceased include two Afghans: watchman Mahram Ali, 50, and cook Jawed, 24; German translator, Daniela Beyer, 35; British surgeon, Karen Woo, 36; and five Americans: translator Cheryl Beckett, 32; videographer Brian Carderelli, 25; nurse Glen Lapp, 40; government liaison Dan Terry, 63; and Dr. Little’s personal friend, dentist Tom Grams, 51.
After arriving in Afghanistan with his family in 1976, Dr. Little became the manager of the IAM’s National Organization for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation (NOOR) program, setting up eye clinics and ophthalmic workshops throughout Afghanistan, a press release said.
“Tom … was the driving force behind much of what has been achieved in eye care in Afghanistan. He is irreplaceable,” Mr. Frans said in a release.
Since 1966, an estimated 5 million Afghans have benefited from the eye care work of IAM, a registered Christian organization. However, in one press release, Mr. Frans addressed speculation about the motives of the Nuristan Eye Care team.
“Our faith motivates and inspires us, but we do not proselytize. We abide by the laws of Afghanistan,” Mr. Frans said. “IAM would not be invited back to villages if we were using aid as a cover for preaching.”
Mr. Frans also added that, despite the recent killings, the group will continue to serve the Afghan people. – Courtney Preston
- The International Assistance Mission can be reached at www.iam-afghanistan.org.