A RESPECTED senior aid worker from Hull has spoken of the need to find a solution to the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
Zia Salik, national community fundraising manager for Islamic Relief, has announced his organisation will not be sending any more British nationals to Iraq and Syria.
His comments come as Prime Minister David Cameron pledges to "hunt down" Islamic State militia responsible for the murder of Holderness-born aid worker David Haines, 44, a married father-of-two.
Some commentators see the strong rhetoric coming from Downing Street as a precursor to military strikes against Islamic State.
Mr Salik, whose father Hafiz Salik is Imam of Hull Mosque and Islamic Centre, would not be drawn on what, if any, military action Britain should take, for fear of compromising staff on the ground.
He said: "As a non-governmental organisation, it is not for Islamic Relief to comment on political objectives, but everyone has a role to play in finding a solution.
"Our role is continuing to provide humanitarian aid for the thousands of displaced people.
"It is a very sad and difficult situation."
Mr Salik, who visited Iraq earlier this year, said the murders of Mr Haines and two American journalists will not stop aid workers putting themselves in harm's way.
"For the time being we are having to change the way we deliver aid," he said. "We will not be sending any more British nationals to Iraq and Syria.
"Instead, we will be using Iraqi and Syrian people to deliver aid.
"There is always danger when you enter a war zone. Already this year, 80 aid workers have been killed around the world. You can't shy away from it."
Meanwhile, Angie Stone, whose son, Private Gregg Stone, 20, was killed in Afghanistan in June 2012, has words of caution for Mr Cameron.
She said: "David Cameron needs to ask himself, 'can we make a difference?' before committing our young men to taking on Islamic State fighters.
"He should realise it's not politicians' lives he is committing, but our soldiers' – husbands, fathers, sons and brothers.
"Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused heartache and devastation across the country."
Footage of Mr Haines's death released by Islamic State shows a militant dressed in black robes and armed with a knife, speaking with a British accent.
Mrs Stone, of Atwick near Hornsea, said: "I was appalled and disgusted when I heard what had happened to David Haines.
"We need to be seen to do something, but David Cameron needs to ask himself, 'will it make a difference, or will it be a futile endeavour that will cost us?
"We always suffer for our actions. Look at 9/11. We got involved and then we had the London bombings. There will always be payback."
Another British hostage appeared at the end of the video released on Saturday in which Mr Haines was beheaded.
Former taxi driver, Alan Henning, 47, originally of Greater Manchester, was also captured in Syria last December while on an aid mission.
The militant issued a threat that Mr Henning would be the next to be killed.
