Bonn 13.02.2008. Daniel Bronkal, the member of Welthungerhilfe's staff who was taken hostage yesterday in Somaliland, has been freed after spending twelve hours in captivity.

Local security forces secured his release yesterday evening at 22:00 local time in the Al Mado mountain region. The rescue operation involved an exchange of gunfire, but Bronkal remained unharmed. The kidnappers took flight, initially taking Bronkal with them, but during the manoeuvre he was able to escape and found himself alone. He headed towards the next road along the coast where local members of staff who were looking for him picked him up.

Daniel Bronkal is now in the town of Erigavo and is in a good state considering the circumstances. "The kidnappers treated me well," he explained in his first phone call following his release. "I was given enough to eat and drink. They didn't beat me or threaten me." Bronkal went on to say that the intensive crisis management training he undertook before his dispatch came in very useful in coping with the situation. Welthungerhilfe trains its staff before sending them overseas. A security expert based at Head Office in Bonn maintains constant contact with overseas offices and personnel.

Welthungerhilfe would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to local security forces who ensured the release of Mr Bronkal. As soon as the kidnapping was announced, a local police unit was dispatched to track down the kidnappers.

Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest non-governmental aid organisations in Germany. It provides aid from one set of hands: from rapid emergency relief to reconstruction programmes, as well as long-term projects with local partner organisations following the principle of promoting self-help. Since its foundation in 1962 more than 5,000 projects have been carried out in 48 countries with a total funding of 1.8 billion euros.