Concern warns of escalating humanitarian crisis in Somalia

international | miscellaneous | press release Friday November 02, 2007 14:52 by Nikki Donnelly - Concern Worldwide nicola.donnelly at concern dot net

Tens of thousands flee recent violence as crisis deepens

According to Concern and other international and national NGOs, there is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in South Central Somalia. Tens of thousands of people are currently fleeing violence in Mogadishu adding to the up to 335,000 people already needing immediate lifesaving assistance in Mogadishu and the Shabelle regions.
NGOs cannot respond effectively to the crisis because access and security are deteriorating dramatically at a time when needs are increasing. The international community and all involved parties have a responsibility to protect civilians, to allow the delivery of aid and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers.

Concern warned today that the worsening state of security in Somalia is hindering the work of agencies on the ground. They are one of 40 agencies who issued a joint statement yesterday highlighting the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.

The 40 International and National NGOs stated:

“There is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in South Central Somalia. Tens of thousands of people are currently fleeing violence in Mogadishu adding to the up to 335,000 people already needing immediate lifesaving assistance in Mogadishu and the Shabelle regions.”

“International and National NGOs cannot respond effectively to the crisis because access and security are deteriorating dramatically at a time when needs are increasing.”

“The international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians, to allow the delivery of aid and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers.”

“We estimate that over 1.15 million people urgently require assistance but unless we can access these people we cannot deliver the aid that is so desperately needed”, said Anne O’Mahony, Concern Regional Director.

Concern has been working in Somalia since 1992, focusing on livelihood activities, education, and water and sanitation programmes.