BANGUI, 21 May 2007 — The United Nations in the Central African Republic have firmly condemned the capture of two people, one working for a project run by the Italian non-governmental organization Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) in the north-west of the country.

The two health workers were taken on Saturday 19 May between Bocaranga and Bozoum as they were working on a project to improve access to health facilities for the local population, since health is one of the priorities of COOPI in CAR.

The UN and COOPI reiterate their neutrality and impartiality in engaging in humanitarian activities around the world, particularly in CAR. In response to the incident, the two organizations are urging the captors to free the hostages.

The UN and COOPI have since implemented actions to liberate the two hostages, who have been working selflessly to ease the suffering of the population of Ouham-Pende, to ensure that they will be safely returned to their families as quickly as possible.

The UN system is highly concerned by the recent decline in the security situation, which is currently threatening humanitarian work in the north-west of CAR. The UN has levied a daily curfew in the Bozoum, Bocaranga and Paoua areas and has restricted movements and activities for its agencies and NGOs.

Operational in CAR since 1974, COOPI has been engaged in several projects in the sectors of education, health, rural development and humanitarian emergencies. The NGO works in close collaboration with the Government of CAR and UN agencies alike, and remains an important humanitarian partner in the country.

Press Release 21 May, Aid Worker Hostages

For further information:

Sara Chicarella, Acting Head of Mission Coopi in CAR
Tel: + 236 75 50 31 99; 50 53 54, chicarella@coopi.org

Jean-Sébastien Munie, Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in CAR
Tel: +236 75 55 41 41, munie@un.org

Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF Representative and Acting Resident Coordinator
Tel: +236 75 50 12 50 ; mmdoe@unicef.org