31.08.10
Heavy fighting in Mogadishu has left the city in danger of food shortage. Despite the fighting and local disruptions, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its implementing partner continue providing daily meals for 80.000 people and 12 out of 16 kitchens are still functional.
The fighting between Islamic insurgents and government forces erupted in May 2009 and found its preliminary culmination this week.
“The situation is very serious in Mogadishu and the civilians are suffering. More than 100.000 people have fled the city since the violence began in 2009, but we are working hard to feed those left behind,” says DRC regional director Peter Klansø.
The resent violence has put pressure on the humanitarian efforts in Mogadishu – a city already characterized by the lack of security.
“Somalia as a whole, and Mogadishu in particular, pose one of the worlds most serious humanitarian challenges – but that is exactly the reason we are there. We know the region, the people and the circumstances, and our experience and local networking is the basis of our ongoing operation,” says Peter Klansø.
The violence in Mogadishu can potentially become even worse.
“It is very hard to predict the development but we are expecting and preparing for the worst. A lot of civilians in Mogadishu are counting on us, and we will do everything we can to uphold our effort,” says Peter Klansø.
Danish Refugee Council is working in Puntland, Somaliland and Somalia. DRC’s mandate is to assist refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) who fled their home areas due to conflict and/or natural disaster as well as the conflict affected communities who assist those who are forced to flee.
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