In a statement, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator David Gressly said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack”, which occurred on Friday when unknown gunmen opened fire on aid workers in the town of Turbah, located in Taiz governorate in the southwest of Yemen.
Not really a target
Mr. Gressley said the entire UN family and humanitarian partners in the country mourn the loss of Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian national and dedicated humanitarian, who died in hospital shortly after the attack.
“Mr. Hameidi’s death is indeed an unacceptable tragedy. I call on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Humanitarian workers will never be targeted,” he said.
Mr. Hameidi is a veteran WFP staff member, having worked for the UN agency for 18 years, including a previous post in Yemen.
He recently returned to the country to take up a new job as the head of the WFP office in Taiz.
The Resident Coordinator conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Hameidi, and wished the injured staff a speedy recovery.