25.10.11
Today, three staff members from the Danish Refugee Council were kidnapped by Somalian gunmen in the northern Somalia.
At 3:00 p.m. the three staff members from the Danish Refugee Council’s demining unit, Danish Demining Group, were kidnapped in northern Somalia, Galkayo. One is a Somali man, two are international staff members, an American woman and a Danish man.
“As a first priority, we have been concentrating on the ongoing investigations. We are keeping close contact with the family members, who are deeply concerned, just as we are”, says Ann Mary Olsen, head of the Danish Refugee Council's International Department.
The three staff members were kidnapped by gunmen after visiting humanitarian projects, but no shots where fired during the kidnapping.
“The staff members are highly experienced and trained to work in high-risk places such as, Somalia,” says Ann Mary Olsen.
Ann Mary Olsen is in contact with the Danish Refugee Council offices in Somalia and Kenya. Danish Refugee Council is requesting the media to respect the time needed to investigate the situation and show support to the family members.
“We have informed the family members and we are in close contact with them. We are all deeply concerned with the situation, but we request the media to respect the privacy of the families during this difficult time. Media inquiries are the last thing on their minds at this point,” says Ann Mary Olsen.
The Danish Refugee Council has worked with conflict affected civilians since 1998. Danish Refugee Council will continue the activities in the region, but the activities in the area are temporarily on hold.
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