How many times did Somali pirates successfully hijack vessels in 2009?

A maritime watchdog said the number of attacks off the coast of Somalia doubled in 2009 from 111 to 217. Pirates successfully hijacked 47 of those vessels and took 867 crew members hostage , earning them untold millions in ransom payments. Although the number of attacks was significantly higher, the number of successful hijackings was proportionately lower than the previous year.

The earthquake hit a number of areas including the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, where some four million people live. The World Food Program, which has a large staff on the ground, says the level of destruction indicates many of these people have been affected and will require help. WFP has extensive stocks of food in the country and will distribute supplies to the victims as soon as possible. WFP is also airlifting energy biscuits for 30,000 people. The Red Cross says up to three million people have been affected.