UN: Security required for humanitarian aid to Somalia

(New York, 28 December 2006): Although no large scale influx of war-related refugees into Kenya is yet taking place, significant internal displacement is occurring inside Somalia. Recent reports have indicated that an estimated 3,000 families have arrived in south Galkayo and unknown numbers in north Galkayo. Up to 1,000 displaced people have fled Beletwene, and as many as 14,000 have left Bay region. Of the latter, 6,000 are displaced within the region and are expected to return shortly to their place of origin. The other 8,000 IDPs have moved to Lower Shabelle. With transport interrupted by conflict and the recently flooded roads throughout Southern Somalia, the price for food and other commodities is said to be on the rise in Bay. There has been no significant displacement reported from Mogadishu.

Although the closure of Somalia's international borders resulted in the temporary suspension of humanitarian flights and the air drop operation mounted by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) into the country, plans for assistance to the internally displaced are underway. The Transitional Federal Government has now authorized the resumption of all UN humanitarian flights into Somalia with immediate effect. The plan is to resume cargo and passenger flights to Kismayo for flood affected areas, but also to other locations such as Beletweyne to reach those displaced by conflict as soon as possible.

"This resumption of access is critical for the people of Somalia, who have suffered from years of conflict, drought, and now flooding," said Margareta Wahlstrom, Acting United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator. "The UN aid operation is trying to save as many lives as possible as quickly as possible," she noted. "To that end, we need adequate security for both civilians in need and for humanitarian staff who are there to help them," she added.

An inter-agency assessment of displaced persons' needs that was completed yesterday revealed that an estimated 4,500 displaced families require immediate assistance in north and south Galkayo. In Puntland, agencies are mobilizing efforts to respond to the priority needs of food, shelter, sanitation, water trucking, essential drugs and protection. Local non-governmental organizations have been able to set up mobile kitchens to feed the displaced people.

On 24 December, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr. Eric La Roche reminded all parties that "people must have the option to move from areas of active conflict; safe passage is a pre-requisite and the responsibility of warring parties to ensure."

Almost half a million Somalis are displaced as a result of recent floods, and some 100,000 hectares of productive land are submerged. The WFP started air dropping food into Somalia and Kenya last weekend because floods had made numerous land routes inaccessible. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mobilising staff and resources in the event of possible widespread displacement in the region. Moreover, the agency is reinforcing its operational capacity in north-eastern Kenya and in Ethiopia. Relief items for up to 50,000 people are being positioned along the Somali border, and supplies for a further 100,000 displaced people and refugees are being purchased.

For further information, please call:

Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679;

Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262;

Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570.

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.