A spokeswoman says the UN has temporarily suspended all non-lifesaving aid operations in the world's biggest refugee camp following the kidnapping of two Spanish aid workers near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Hundreds of staff have been confined to their offices while services like education, counselling and relocation of families have been cancelled until further notice.

UN refugee agency spokeswoman Needa Jehu-Hoyah said Friday that only water, food and health services are being maintained. She says the ban on nonessential movement would remain in place until further notice.

Gunmen suspected to be from Somalia seized two Spanish women working for Doctors Without Borders on Thursday from the Dadaab refugee camp and drove toward the Somali border.