Statement By World Food Programme On Situation In Southern Somalia

Rising threats and attacks on humanitarian operations, as well as the
imposition of a string of unacceptable demands from armed groups, have
made
it virtually impossible for the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue
reaching up to one million people in need in southern Somalia.



WFP's humanitarian operations in southern Somalia have been under
escalating attacks from armed groups, leading to this partial suspension
of
humanitarian food distributions in much of southern Somalia.



WFP is deeply concerned about rising hunger and suffering among the most
vulnerable due to these unprecedented and inhumane attacks on purely
humanitarian operations.



WFP is continuing to provide life saving food distributions in the rest of
the country, including the capital, Mogadishu, reaching more than
two-thirds of the hungry it has been targeting - or 1.8 million people.


In
addition, resources and relief workers are being re-deployed from southern
areas in the event that people start moving away from areas where food
distributions have been suspended.



WFP is an impartial, non-political humanitarian agency that has been
working in partnership with the people of Somalia for more than 40 years,
providing assistance to the poorest of the poor throughout Somalia's years
of conflict and before. The recent pressures on our work from armed
groups
in southern Somalia are impeding our humanitarian mandate.



Even in good years, Somalia is only able to meet 40 per cent of the food
needs of its population through internal production. In the last five
years, local production has averaged only about 30 per cent of food needs
in Somalia. WFP's operation in Somalia is fully funded in the coming
months to reach all the projected beneficiaries.



WFP is working closely with its partners to pre-position supplies and
prepare to provide assistance to any population movements either within
Somalia, or across the country's borders into neighbouring countries.

WFP's offices in Wajid, Buale, Garbahare, Afmadow, Jilib and Belet Weyne
in
southern Somalia are temporarily closed, and food supplies and equipment
have been moved, along with staff, to safer areas in order to ensure that
food assistance continues to reach as many vulnerable people as possible.



Staff safety is a key concern for WFP and recent attacks, threats,
harassment and demands for payments by armed groups have decimated the
humanitarian food lifeline, making it virtually impossible to reach up to
up to one million woman and children and other highly vulnerable people.




Source
World Food Programme