New York, Mar 16 2009 9:00AM
The United Nations is working to secure the unconditional release of four staff members who were abducted this morning by unknown armed men in south central Somalia, the world body said.
The four were on their way to the airport when their convoy was stopped by gunmen, according to a statement issued in Nairobi by the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.
No violence or shooting was reported to have occurred during the incident, which took place in Waajid in south central Somalia.
"While the general location of the four staff members is known, no contact with the abductors has been established so far," the statement noted.
"The United Nations and the local authorities in Waajid are doing everything to secure the unconditional release of the staff," it added.
Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government since 1991, has been plagued by fighting and humanitarian suffering for decades. Continuing instability, coupled with drought, high food prices and the collapse of the local currency have only worsened the dire humanitarian situation in recent months.
The UN estimates that some 3.2 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, are in need of assistance.
At the same time, there have been several encouraging developments in recent weeks for the country, including the election of a new President and the creation of an enlarged Parliament.
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