Reuters reports fierce fighting instigated by insurgent groups in Somalia has caused the relocation of several expatriate workers, while aid agencies fear a continuing breakdown of security in the country. The workers were part of the UN World Food Programme and World Vision, among the last few international aid agencies still providing aid in war-torn southern Somalia.
The evacuated aid workers left the town of Buale in the recent days but agency spokespeople remain steadfast in assuring completion of regional efforts such as feeding 250,000+ children in the Juba region of southern Somalia.
More than a third of the country is dependent on food aid, after harsh conditions during the past three years have led to a prolonged drought. Violence and battles involving insurgent groups and others have contributed to the instability that wracks the region.
Parts of the Somali capital Mogadishu (most familiar to Americans through the 1993 humanitarian intervention depicted in the acclaimed 2001 film “Black Hawk Down”) as well as key regions scattered throughout southern Somalia are controlled by rebel group Al Shabaab. The group seeks to impose its restrictive version of Sharia law throughout the country, clashing with African Union peacekeepers and domestic groups.
In the past year, the problems in delivering aid to Somalia were highlighted in earlier posts about pirates attacking cargo ships carrying food aid in the region.
Posted by Patricia Lee.
