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UNICEF worker in Somalia dies of gun wound

Dr. Ayub was wounded on the evening of 15 September while travelling by road from Jowhar to Afgoi on a planning assignment for the October National Immunization Day to vaccinate approximately one million children in Somalia against polio. A staff person from the NGO ADRA, as well as three guards and a driver, were travelling with him. The vehicle was ambushed and all six passengers were shot. Dr. Ayub was immediately taken to a hospital in North Mogadishu for surgery. He survived the operation and seemed to be doing well until Thursday morning. All the other wounded passengers are receiving treatment.

Dr. Ayub's death adds one more to a growing list of casualties involving humanitarian workers courageously seeking to carry on life-saving missions in extremely dangerous situations. Attacks such as the one that resulted in Dr. Ayub's death are a completely unacceptable violation of international law and fundamental human rights.

Dr. Ayub Sheikh Yerow joined UNICEF on 1 September 1992 as an Assistant Project Officer for Health and worked in Mogadishu, Bardere and Baidoa. In September 1995 all international staff were evacuated from Baidoa and Dr. Ayub acted as officer in charge for UNICEF Baidoa until now. In July of this year he was promoted to Project Officer for Health & Nutrition for the Central Region and remained stationed in Baidoa as Chief Officer.

Dr. Ayub was 41 years old. He is survived by his spouse, Sado Hassan Ahmed, and five children, Zakaria, Eyni, Suleeqa, Fardowsa and Abdikarin. UNICEF around the world joins colleagues in Somalia in mourning the death of Dr. Ayub and extending the deepest sympathy and support to his family.

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