MOGADISHU (AFP) — A Canadian reporter and an Australian photographer who have been held hostage in Somalia for nine months said they are in poor health and have sought greater help from their governments to secure their release.

Freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout and photographer Nigel Brennan spoke to an AFP correspondent in Mogadishu by phone for five minutes on Sunday from an undisclosed location.

The call was obtained after weeks of efforts to establish contact with the hostages, who appeared to be reading or reciting a statement, possibly under duress. There was no independent confirmation of their identities.

“I have been sick for months. Unless my government, the people of Canada, all my family and friends can get one million dollars, I will die here, OK that is certain,” Lindhout said, sobbing and sounding very distressed.

She urged the Canadian government to give more help to her family’s attempts to secure her release after 274 days in detention with Brennan. The pair were abducted while on a freelance assignment.

The call was made through an intermediary, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the kidnappers.

“Anyone who is concerned about their situation should contribute to their release, otherwise they will suffering even more,” said the man, who gave his name as Adan Nur.

A Somali journalist and two drivers who were captured with Lindhout and Brennan were released on January 16.

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