18 Aug 2009
Unidentified assailants have attacked a United Nations World Food Program (WFP) compound in Somalia's northwestern region of Bakool.

The attack on the WFP's compound in Bakool's Wajjud neighborhood was carried out in the early hours of Monday. It marked the fourth of such attacks in two months.

The United Nations in reaction vehemently censured the attack against its aid compound. "This direct, deliberate and sustained attack on aid organizations and aid workers is intolerable," acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Graham Farmer stated.

The world body has frequently urged all parties in strife-torn Somalia to assure the safety of humanitarian aid workers in the country.

Aid workers have been the targets of assassinations and kidnappings in Somalia where insurgent groups control most of the country. Many aid groups have ceased operations in the Horn of Africa nation due to the insecurity.

Since 1991, Somalia has not had a functioning national government and has been plagued by fighting and humanitarian suffering.

In recent years, ensuing instability, coupled with drought, high food prices as well as the collapse of the local currency have significantly worsened the dire humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa state.

Some 3.2 million people or 40 percent of the population are suffering from the effects of the ongoing conflicts.
presstv