Nairobi, KENYA – Today, the UN commemorates the first anniversary of the Hargeisa bombings. On 29 October 2008, five bombing attacks took place in Hargeisa and Bossaso, northern Somalia, one of them targeting a UN compound.
The explosion of a car bomb which imposed its way through the compound in Hargeisa caused the death of two UN staff members, Mohamed Elmi 'Geele' and Said Hashi Mohumed, and injured six others.
The attacks forced the UN to review its operations and temporarily reduce the number of staff working in the country. However, the UN has continued supporting the Somali people by delivering humanitarian assistance and fostering human development.
"One year after these outrageous attacks, I am full of admiration for my colleagues who have demonstrated an unfaltering commitment to help Somalis recover from 18 years of conflict, despite the high risks they encounter daily and the impediment this places on their work" says Mark Bowden, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. "At times such as these, the UN renews its commitment to work with and for Somalis to achieve lasting sustained development."
With half of the Somali population in need of humanitarian aid due to renewed conflict and environmental disasters, such as flooding and droughts, the UN is working with the Somalis in building a durable peace and in assisting to bring about reconstruction and development to their country.
