CWS appeal: Somalia (Mogadishu) Humanitarian Assistance

As the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), backed by Ethiopian troops, aims to exert control into southern and central Somalia, opposition groups are fighting back. Roadside bombs, indiscriminate shelling of civilian-populated areas and suicide bombers force civilians to flee for safety, usually into temporary camps.

People have lost their relatives, family members and their properties. Many are desperate and have lost the capacity to cope with the situation. The ongoing insecurity, sporadic violence and looting in Mogadishu have forced families to move out of the city and create Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps along the road from Mogadishu to Afgoi district and the surrounding areas of Middle and Lower Shabelle regions.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 400,000 IDPs moved from Mogadishu between February and May, mainly to the Shabelle, Galgudud and Mudug regions.

Food distributions by NGOs are inadequate to cater for the increasing number of IDPs. Lack of safe drinking water and shelter is a major concern. Change of location and poor sanitation have badly affected health conditions, while cases of trauma and mental breakdown in the camps are rising.

CWS RESPONSE

CWS and ACT member Diakonie Emergency Aid will work with local partner, Daryeel Bulsho Guud (DBG) provide rice, beans and vegetable oil to 2,100 families in the IDP camps in Mogadishu outskirts.

Contributions to support this effort may be sent to your denomination or directly to: Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515

Contributions may also be made by credit card online, or by calling: 800-297-1516, ext. 222.