Mogadishu, 11 June 2023 – The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns in the strongest possible terms the complex attack on the Pearl Beach Hotel and Restaurant located in the Abdiaziz district of Mogadishu, Somalia, on 9 June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 16 innocent civilians, including a WHO national staff member. This tragic event also left more than 10 people injured. 

“We are appalled by the tragic loss of life in this senseless attack, including the death of Ms Nasra Hassan, a WHO national female staff member. Nasra, 27 years old, joined the WHO country office in Somalia to support the drought emergency response operations in Jubaland. She was known for her dedication, ambition and commitment among her colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to Nasra’s family, as well as to the families and friends of all those who died during the attack,” said Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. 

"We condemn in the strongest terms this heinous attack on a hotel that claimed so many lives, including the precious life of one of our dearest colleagues Nasra. We condemn all attacks on innocent civilians and humanitarian aid workers and express our deepest condolences to the family members of all those who were killed in this attack,” said Dr Malik Mamunur, WHO Representative in Somalia.

WHO is committed to continuing efforts to preserve health and respond to emergencies in Somalia. WHO affirms that the safety and security of its staff is a paramount factor in ensuring ongoing life-saving response operations. 

About WHO

The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.