UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is outraged by the kidnapping of three aid workers in Somalia and has called for them to be released unharmed immediately, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said Wednesday.

    Three aid workers, a Somali and two Italians, were kidnapped by unknown gunmen Wednesday in south Somalia.

    "The presence of humanitarian workers in Somalia is more important than ever," Okabe said.

    The incident comes at a time of a fast deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has risen to 2.6 million, while the current number of internally displaced persons has risen to 800,000.