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Somalia: MSF shuts two big medical centres in Mogadishu Somalia: MSF shuts two big medical centres in Mogadishu
(40 minutes later)
Two major medical centres run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in the Somali capital have closed.Two major medical centres run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in the Somali capital have closed.
The charity said it had taken the decision after two MSF workers, a Belgian administrator and Indonesian doctor, were killed last month.The charity said it had taken the decision after two MSF workers, a Belgian administrator and Indonesian doctor, were killed last month.
Last August, Islamists militants withdrew from Mogadishu, which is controlled by the weak UN-back interim government and African Union troops.Last August, Islamists militants withdrew from Mogadishu, which is controlled by the weak UN-back interim government and African Union troops.
About 200,000 people have since flooded into the city seeking famine relief.About 200,000 people have since flooded into the city seeking famine relief.
The East African region is suffering from its worst drought in 60 years - and many Somalis have fled rural areas controlled by the Islamist al-Shabab group as it has banned many Western aid agencies from operating in its territory.The East African region is suffering from its worst drought in 60 years - and many Somalis have fled rural areas controlled by the Islamist al-Shabab group as it has banned many Western aid agencies from operating in its territory.
Somalia is said to be one of the world's most dangerous places for aid workers to operate.Somalia is said to be one of the world's most dangerous places for aid workers to operate.
'Brutal assassination''Brutal assassination'
"It is hard to close health services in a location where the presence of our medical teams is genuinely life-saving every day," Christopher Stokes, MSF's general director, said in a statement. "It is hard to close health services in a location where the presence of our medical teams is genuinely life-saving every day," Christopher Stokes, MSF's general director, href="http://www.msf.org.uk/articledetail.aspx?fId=mogadishu_closures_190112_20120119" >said in a statement.
"But the brutal assassination of our colleagues in Hodan makes it impossible for us to continue working in this district of Mogadishu," he said."But the brutal assassination of our colleagues in Hodan makes it impossible for us to continue working in this district of Mogadishu," he said.
The two foreign MSF workers were killed on 29 December in one of the charity's compounds by a Somali national.The two foreign MSF workers were killed on 29 December in one of the charity's compounds by a Somali national.
The man had fired the shots after being told his contract would not be renewed following accusations of theft. He was then arrested.The man had fired the shots after being told his contract would not be renewed following accusations of theft. He was then arrested.
The two 120-bed medical centres which have been closed were the largest of MSF's 13 projects in Somalia and halve the assistance the charity provides in the capital.The two 120-bed medical centres which have been closed were the largest of MSF's 13 projects in Somalia and halve the assistance the charity provides in the capital.
href="http://www.msf.org.uk/articledetail.aspx?fId=mogadishu_closures_190112_20120119" >According to MSF, since August the Hodan medical centres had treated nearly 12,000 malnourished children and more than 1,200 for patients for diarrhoea. At least 861 were treated for measles, while 67,200 children were vaccinated against the disease. According to MSF, since August the Hodan medical centres had treated nearly 12,000 malnourished children and more than 1,200 for patients for diarrhoea. At least 861 were treated for measles, while 67,200 children were vaccinated against the disease.
Earlier this week, the UN said a quarter of a million Somalis were still suffering from the famine and the the crisis was likely to continue for the next six or seven months.Earlier this week, the UN said a quarter of a million Somalis were still suffering from the famine and the the crisis was likely to continue for the next six or seven months.
In October, two MSF staff were kidnapped from the Dadaab refugee camp over the border in Kenya, which is home to almost half a million Somalis who have fled conflict and drought.
The two Spanish women are believed to be held in Somalia.
"MSF strongly reiterates its call to all parties, the leadership and the people of Somalia to facilitate the safe release of Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut," the MSF statement said.
The war-torn country has been without a central functioning government since 1991, with rival militias vying for power.The war-torn country has been without a central functioning government since 1991, with rival militias vying for power.