Somalia: Statement from the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, Mr. Eric Laroche, on the death of MSF-Holland aid workers and Somali journalist in Kismayo

Yesterday, four people lost their lives in a roadside attack in Kismayo. In one fell blow, when a landmine exploded, hitting a passing humanitarian vehicle, the humanitarian community lost three colleagues from Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland. A member of the Somali media who was on the sidelines of the explosion was also killed.

It is with great sadness that I offer on behalf of the humanitarian community, a message of condolence to the families and co-workers of our slain colleagues. We are all aware of the violent and risky environment that exists in Somalia. Brave souls such as our departed colleagues Billan, a Somali driver, Damien Lehalle, a French logistician, and Victor Okumu, a Kenyan surgeon, confront those risks on a daily basis to uphold the humanitarian principles, to serve and protect those in need.

Eight media were killed in 2007 making Somalia the second most dangerous place in the world for journalists to work. Hassan Kafi Hared, the Somali journalist who was killed in the explosion, now adds his name to that tragic list.

Ten weeks ago, on the occasion of the death of another aid worker in Somalia, I said that to be an aid worker in Somalia today is to be a hero. It remains one of the most dangerous places to work, where aid workers are the least protected. The same holds true for members of the media who have been frequently targeted, harassed, arrested and killed. These people deserve the utmost protection - not to be the target of a brutal and cowardly attack. Somalia lost four more heroes yesterday.

We must not fail them by losing hope. The ultimate tribute we could pay to their courage and engagement to assist Somali people is to ensure their deaths were not in vain. The duties they carried out with such commitment - supporting humanitarian assistance, delivering medical care, providing a voice for the Somali story - were to better the lives of all Somali citizens with the hope that one day, their country would become a land of peace and security.