Somalia crisis deteriorates
Statement comes as UN Security Council members meet to discuss Somalia.
Wednesday 26 March 2008
On 30 October 2007, 39 non-government organisations (NGOs) warned of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Somalia and an impending humanitarian catastrophe. Since then, the crisis - brought about by conflict, drought and high food prices - has intensified dramatically, while aid agencies' access to people in need has decreased.
Some 360,000 people have recently been displaced in Somalia. An additional 500,000 people are reliant on humanitarian assistance.
Intense conflict in Mogadishu continues to force an average of 20,000 people from their homes each month. This, combined with record high food prices, hyperinflation and drought is leaving communities struggling to survive.
To further compound matters, extreme water and food shortages are expected to worsen across the country if the seasonal rains between April and June fail as predicted.
As the crisis worsens, Somali and international aid agencies are unable to respond adequately. Attacks on, and killings of, aid workers, the looting of relief supplies, and a lack of respect for international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict have left 2 million Somalis in need of basic humanitarian assistance.
For too long, the needs of ordinary Somalis have been forgotten. The 39 NGOs are asking the international community and all parties to the conflict to urgently focus their attention on the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
They must ensure access for humanitarian supplies, live up to their responsibility to protect civilians and address the climate of acting with impunity. The humanitarian crisis will become more and more complex and will continue to deepen in the absence of a political solution to the current crisis.
More information
Read more about Save the Children's work in Somalia.
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