OCHA Says Nine Aid Workers killed In Somalia In Nine Months

UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said nine aid workers have been killed in violence in Somalia for the last nine months.

In its October bulletin, the OCHA said between January and September eleven aid workers wounded while three others were abducted during Somalia by unknown gunmen.

“Over 100 violent incidents resulted in the deaths during the last nine months. Among those killed in violent incidents are nine aid workers,” said the UNbody.

The OCHA pointed out that the volatile security situation in Somalia continues to impact on civilian lives and create a challenging environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

“Access constraints continue to impede humanitarian partners’ ability to reach people in need in a timely manner. Staff safety and security remain a major concern,” OCHA said in the bulletin.

The office underscored that humanitarian groups continue to face administrative and bureaucratic impediments.

“These include demands for registration and involvement in staff recruitment processes among other activities. This has in certain cases threatened the operational independence of humanitarian partners,” OCHA noted.

Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries that aid workers operate. Dozens of aid workers have been killed and others were kidnapped since the collapse of the country’s central government in 1991.

Al Shabaab attacks on aid workers and agencies’ offices have made most of southern and central Somalia inaccessible.