UNICEF condemns staff killings in Somalia

By David Oduut and Agencies

UNITED Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has sent condolences to families of those killed in the Garowe attack.

In a statement released Monday, Anthony Lake the UNICEF Executive Director said; “The horrific attack on our UNICEF colleagues today in northern Somalia is an assault not only on them but on the people they served. Our immediate thoughts are with the families of the four staff members who were killed and with those who were injured. All of us at UNICEF are deeply saddened, and deeply angered.

“Our colleagues dedicated their lives to working for the children of Somalia. They are not victims. They and those who were wounded are heroes. We mourn their loss and hope for the full recovery of the injured.

James Elder, Regional Chief of Communication UNICEF Nairobi however highlighted that UNICEF will not be bogged down by the attack.

“Our continuing work for the most vulnerable children and their families in Somalia will be a fitting tribute to those we have lost.”

The statement follows the attack in which a suicide bomb attacked a United Nations vehicle in Garowe, the main city in Somalia's Puntland region, killing seven people.  UNICEF said four of its staff were among the dead.

Somali police commander Ahmed Abdullahi Samatar said that he believes that one of the bodies belongs to the man who blew himself up.

Al Shabaab, which is battling Somalia's government for control of the country, has said it carried out the attack. Witnesses told BBC that 10 people were killed but this has not been confirmed.

UNICEF said that in addition to those killed, four other of its staff are in a serious condition.