ATLANTA (January 29, 2000) -- The
international relief and development organization CARE today stated it
will continue to respond to humanitarian needs in Somalia despite the recent
attack on a famine relief convoy.
On Friday, January 28, the convoy -
a private Somali transporter contracted by CARE to deliver approximately
250 tons of emergency relief food to Tieglo - was traveling from north
Mogadishu through Hiran when it was stopped and fired upon by local militia.
Five people, including four militia members and one member of the convoy,
were killed, and 10 more injured. CARE reported that none of its staff
were killed or injured and that no food was stolen.
"We will continue to do everything we can to reach the people of Tieglo who desperately need our assistance," says Mustaque Ahmed, food sector coordinator for CARE in Somalia. "This attack has highlighted, once again, the dangers for aid workers in Somalia."
In the USA contact: Allen Clinton,
404-374-3683 or Email: clinton@care.org
In Nairobi contact: Wendy Driscoll, (254-2) 716724 or 724674 ext.
221; Res: (254-2) 520184 or Email: driscoll@care.or.ke