05.11.11
The Danish Refugee Council and its demining unit Danish Demining Group meet substantial support from traditional leaders and civil society in Somalia, who are saddened by the kidnapping of two humanitarian aid workers.
Since the abduction on 25 October of the two humanitarian aid workers, the Danish Refugee Council has appealed to traditional leaders, clan representatives and the general public. And this appeal has echoed substantial support.
”I am told that the people to whom we have reached out, are working to help us - by letting the perpetrators know that kidnapping humanitarian aid works is absolutely unacceptable, and that their hostages are people who have come to Somalia to help the suffering civilians,” says Ann Mary Olsen, head of the Danish Refugee Council’s International Department.
A number of demonstrations have taken place in Somalia with civil society and government representatives expressing their condemnation of the kidnapping and the need for a quick an safe release of the two aid workers. In Galkayo where the kidnapping took place, an estimated 600 people took to the streets to express their anger with the kidnapping.
”We are incredibly grateful for the help and support we meet from the Somali society. We hope it will help facilitate a rapid release of our two kidnapped employees,” says Ann Mary Olsen.
In recent days, several media have brought forward rumors related to the kidnapping. These stories are based on sources claiming that they have been in contact with the hostages, and bringing forward demands on behalf of the kidnappers.
”We are aware of these stories that flourish in the media. It is important to emphasize that the Danish Refugee Council has a policy which clearly states that the organization does not negotiate with kidnappers. We do however notice that there is news of Poul and Jessica being well their circumstances taken into consideration. And that message is the most important to the families and to the Danish Refugee Council at this point in time,” says Ann Mary Olsen.
The Danish Refugee Council is recognized and acknowledged in the region as an established aid agency that has worked in Somalia since 1998. Today, the organization provides relief and assistance to an estimated 450,000 people in the Horn of Africa and Yemen - a region known to be difficult accessible for most aid organizations not least as a consequence of decades of armed conflict and complex power structures.
In consideration of the safety of the two kidnapped aid workers, the Danish Refugee Council cannot give more details or elaborate further on the current situation.
All media inquiries should be directed to the Danish Refugee Council in Copenhagen.
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