Following the incident, MSF announced the withdrawal of 87 international staff from 14 projects across Somalia.  In a press release, the MSF International Council President Dr. Christophe Fournier said the organisation is “outraged by what appears to be an organised attack resulting in the killings of the aid workers.”  MSF said although life-saving medical activities continue under the supervision of its dedicated Somali colleagues, the suspension will clearly hamper the essential medical work of MSF in Somalia. 

The United Nations Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Somalia Eric Laroche said in a statement of condolence, “the duties the aid workers 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.”

It has been a devastating week for civic space, particularly for media. A mortar hit the Shabelle Radio headquarters on Sunday 27 January night and the station’s telephone system was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.  Another journalist was reportedly beaten by security guards and briefly detained in Bossaso (Puntland).  Media advocates condemned the attack and called for the safety of journalists and respect of freedom of the press.        

Insecurity in Mogadishu was high on Monday 28 January, following fighting between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and anti-government elements.  According to reports, the two main hospitals, Keysaney and Madina, treated over 60 people for war wounds while at least six died at the hospital.  Six African Union peacekeepers were injured over the weekend in two different incidents.  On Saturday 26 January, an armoured vehicle on patrol hit an anti-tank mine near the sea port, wounding three, while on Sunday 27 a mortar hit their base at the Mogadishu airport injuring two. 

Later in the week, Ethiopian troops who were mainly patrolling Hawl Wadaag and Hodan districts withdrew to unknown destinations.  Access to various amenities like the Bakara market and movement of civilians and transportation around the Km4 junction was said to have improved.  Overall, the general insecurity has caused the displacement of about 33,000 during January 2008 according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.   

According to the Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) and partners’ post Deyr (October – December rains) report, between 1.8 and 2 million people, including more than 700,000 IDPs who fled Mogadishu in 2007, are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance and livelihood support for at least the next six months.  The report released on 30 January said, the most affected areas are the Shabelles and Central regions due significant numbers of IDPs from Mogadishu and failed Deyr rains.

Responding to the growing needs of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in South/Central regions, this week CARE International started distribution of 4,300 metric tons of food aid in South Mudug and Galgadud regions.  The rations are targeting about 240,000 displaced people in the two regions.  These are areas that have already been sited to be in dire need of food aid following failed Deyr rains (between October and November 2007).  More reports from the Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) on the situation in Somalia will follow in the coming days.

Between 24 – 27 January, WFP distributed 225 metric tons of food in Mogadishu to 53, 246 beneficiaries under the wet feeding programme.  None Governmental Organisation SAACID has been implementing the programme since the last week of November 2007 with 10 sites operational and serving an average of 5,000 people per site per day.  In Afgooye, (Lower Shabelle), about 45,000 IDPs who remained from an earlier distribution to about 155,000 IDPs along the Mogadishu/Afgooye stretch, received food aid.

The Danish Government will take over the escort of WFP ships of food aid into Somalia this weekend following the successful escorts of nine ships carrying 30,000 metric tons between mid November and end of January by the French Navy.  The escort operation has both deterred pirate attacks and increased the number of ships ready to carry WFP food and other humanitarian items.  The Danish Government will provide escorts for a two-month period.

Somaliland

A Programme Manager with Halo Trust – a de-mining agency working in Somaliland was short and injured on 30 January in his office.  The assailant is said to have been an ex-employee and was soon apprehended.