UN condemns attack on UN compound in southern Somalia

[NAIROBI, 17 August 2009] On Sunday 16 August at around midnight the UN-WFP compound in Wajiid, Southern Somalia, was attacked by armed militia. This is the fourth UN compound deliberately targeted in Somalia within two months.

The UN strongly condemns the attack. "This direct, deliberate and sustained attack on aid organisations and aid workers is intolerable,' said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i. for Somalia, Mr. Graham Farmer.

Mr. Farmer urged all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access wherever assistance is required by populations in need as such actions put at higher risk people who are already vulnerable. Nearly 3.2 million people in Somalia need humanitarian assistance.

For more information contact: Carrie Howard, Public Information Officer, +254-7325-00022 or howard@un.org.