MSF suspends staff presence after Somalia attacks

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has today suspended all international staff presence in Somalia following the killing of three colleagues in what the charity has called "an organised attack".

Victor, Damien and Mohmed Bidhaan, as well as two other people, were reportedly attacked and killed on Monday January 28 in Kismayo, Somalia.

MSF, or Doctors Without Borders, has suspended staff presence as a mark of respect and because of the lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances of the attack.

"This attack against one of our teams is absolutely intolerable and a serious violation of the humanitarian action to which our late colleagues were so committed," said Dr Christophe Fournier, international council president of MSF.

Eighty-seven international staff have been withdrawn from 14 projects across Somalia.

"This attack has a direct impact on the level of assistance available to the Somali population," Dr Fournier explained.

"Although life-saving medical activities will continue under the supervision of our dedicated Somali colleagues, the suspension of all international staff will clearly hamper the essential medical work of MSF in Somalia."

This suspension comes at a time when Somalia is facing a critical emergency, encompassing escalating violence, massive displacement and acute unmet medical needs.