Breaking - Aid Workers Kidnapped in Somalia

by Michael Bear · 2008-11-05 13:37:00 UTC
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Four aid workers with Action Against Hunger were kidnapped today at an airfield in Somalia.  Two Kenyan pilots were also taken.  The attack occured near the town of Dusamareb.  The aid workers included two French women, a Bulgarian woman and a Belgian man.

According to a local resident: "Heavily armed men with three battle-wagons and three small cars kidnapped the foreigners who landed a plane, and also some people waiting for them at the airstrip."

For the statement released by Action Against Hunger, see here.

Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for aid workers - so far this year, 32 aid workers have been killed in Somalia.  Kidnapping is also prevalent.  According to Reuters:

"Gunmen are still holding hostage two Italians, one Kenyan and a Briton - plus three locals - abducted in April and May. Two other foreign aid workers for Medecins du Monde, of unknown nationality, are still being held after being captured in east Ethiopia and taken over the border in September."

For more information on how insecurity impacts aid agencies in Somalia, see here.

[Somalis at an airfield outside of Mogadishu - Photo from Bea Spadacini]

Michael Bear
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