News
Tensions high, food supply low in Somalia
20 January 2010
The Humanitarian Forum Partner, Qatar Red Crescent, has reported a partial suspension of the World Food Program (WFP) food distribution project in Southern Somalia. Reports state that following an escalation in attacks from armed groups in the area, WFP has been forced to temporarily close six offices and relocate its staff to safer areas.
Negotiations are ongoing between WFP and local group Al Shabab, but tensions are running high. And beneficiaries are likely to bear the brunt of the effects of the WFP's withdrawal - UN estimates put the number of people affected at around one million. Meanwhile UNICEF puts the number of malnourished children at one in five, a number which is predicted to increase dramatically if the WFP withdraws.
WFP is putting contingency plans in place, but no other distributor is working on the same scale in the region, and the impact of the agency's withdrawal is likely to be heavy. Mediation is therefore vital. The Humanitarian Forum is working with colleagues from QRCS, the UN and other key organisations to facilitate mediation and find a solution to this situation. "We must act quickly and find a solution before there is a needless loss of life," said Forum President, Dr Hany El Banna. "We are working closely with our colleagues in the area and will put together as swift a response as possible. For now we are identifying suitable mediators for negotiations between WFP and Al Shabab, and are searching for ways to limit any damage caused by the WFP's temporary withdrawal."
Find out more about our work in Somalia here.
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