Saturday, June 14, 2008
Hassan Abdi, who was part of a convoy of WFP-contracted trucks carrying 328 metric tons of food from Mogadishu to the Bay and Bakool regions, was killed by gunmen shortly after dawn Thursday near the village of Leego.
It was the third such incident this year, the UN said.
"We strongly condemn this attack on personnel and trucks delivering life-saving food," said WFP Deputy Country Director Denise Brown, sending her condolences to Abdi's family.
She also urged all parties to "ensure the safe passage of humanitarian staff and cargo across the country, especially at a time when we are trying to feed more people and need to double food deliveries."
Due to rising insecurity, soaring food prices and a worsening drought, the humanitarian situation in Somalia has worsened in recent months.
It is estimated that up to 3.5 million people, almost half the country's population, may require food aid during the course of this year, the UN said.
Source: Xinhua, June 14, 2008