Somalia

African leaders have held a fundraising conference in Ethiopia in a bid to plug a US$1.1 billion shortfall in aid for millions facing starvation in the Horn of Africa's worst drought in decades.
 
African Union (AU) commission spokesperson, Noureddine Mezni, points out that, "We want an action-oriented conference. We don't want words, we want action."
 
Mezni says that the AU is calling for contributions to plug the $1.1 billion funding shortfall, adding that, "The African private sector should be involved too"
 
To read the article titled, “Africa fundraises for drought crisis,” click here.

This week, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has sent medical teams and four charter planes carrying 55 tons of medical equipment, medicines and therapeutic food to Mogadishu in response to the crisis in Somalia. In the past weeks, an estimated 100 000 people have fled from south and central Somalia to the capital to seek assistance. They are settling in numerous camps in and around Mogadishu, with little or no access to health care.

MSF has started measles vaccination campaigns in dozens of makeshift camps where thousands of people have gathered after fleeing the exceptional drought and the violence in other parts of the country. Almost 3 000 children were vaccinated so far.

Around 1 000 children have been screened for malnutrition. More than half of them were indeed malnourished.

“MSF is extremely worried about the situation of the displaced. The situation is critical.  MSF has begun reinforcing its operations in Mogadishu and is assessing areas around the capital in order to adequately respond to this crisis,” said Dr Unni Karunakara, International President of MSF.

Through a mobile clinic, MSF staff provides medical care to around 100 patients daily. The teams are also distributing relief items, such as hygiene materials and plastic sheeting for temporary shelter.

Since years MSF has been providing medical care in the capital, through health facilities in Daynile and Darkheley where more than 370 medical consultations were provided last week. To address the increasing medical needs, MSF will open inpatient therapeutic feeding centres, a measles treatment unit as well as a 50-beds cholera treatment centre in Mogadishu in the coming days.

MSF has worked continuously in Somalia since 1991 and currently provides free medical care in eight regions. Over 1 400 Somali staff, supported by approximately 100 staff in Nairobi, provide free primary healthcare, surgery, treatment for malnutrition, as well as support to displaced people through health care, water supply and relief items distributions in nine locations in south and central Somalia.

MSF is also providing medical care to Somali refugees in Kenya (Dagahaley and Ifo camps) and Ethiopia (Liben). In Dagahaley camp, MSF is the sole provider of medical care for the 130 000 people and currently treating 6 400 children for malnutrition. In Ifo, MSF provides medical care to the 25 000 refugees gathered on the outskirts of the camp. In Liben, MSF is providing medical care in the six camps where 119 000 refugees are gathered. Here, more than 10 000 children are enrolled in nutritional programmes.

For more about Médecins Sans Frontières, refer to www.msf.org.

The United Nations’ World Food Programme has rejected claims that some of its staff had diverted aid to hardline Somali rebels and called on the United States to free up millions of dollars meant for the Horn of African nation.

WFP spokesperson in Nairobi, Peter Smerdon, points out that, "WFP has concluded an internal investigation and we found no evidence that our staff divert food and there was no evidence that our transporters did the same."

The investigation followed reports that food aid meant for Somali civilians was finding its way into the hands of the Shebab, which controls much of southern and central Somalia.

To read the article titled, “UN denies Somali rebels got aid,” click here.

Oxfam has warned that a total failure of the international community to deal effectively with the Somalia crisis and help end the war is resulting in a spiral of human suffering and exodus to neighbouring countries.

The organisation says hundreds of thousands of Somalis who have fled the violence are now trapped in ‘horrifically overcrowded or poorly managed camps’ in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia itself.

It says poor sanitation and little access to basic services such as water and medicine due to an ineffective response are creating a public health emergency in camps, which needs to be urgently addressed.

To read the article titled, “Overcrowded and desperate camps in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia 'barely fit for humans',” click here.