Wednesday, September 24, 2014
"In the Hiiran region, a combination of poor harvest, drought and protracted conflict forced many people in remote areas to relocate from their homes to Beletweyne, increasing the density of displaced people in the surrounding camps and exacerbating the already fragile food security situation there," said Kristy Manners, the ICRC's nutrition specialist for Somalia.
The distribution just completed is part of an ongoing response. Earlier this year, an ICRC survey of the food security of displaced people in the camps revealed that aid was urgently required. A first round of food distributions took place in early July for the same displaced people – 6100 families. The second round just completed provides them with a month’s supply of food to help them cope with lingering food shortages.
In Somalia, the ICRC works with the Somali Red Crescent to help victims of conflict or natural disaster. The organization provides emergency assistance, boosts self-reliance, promotes international humanitarian law, visits detainees and restores contact between family members separated by conflict.