Fears over Somalia flood relief
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6181566.stm Version 0 of 1. Growing fears of a war in Somalia are hampering efforts to deliver aid to hundreds of thousands of people hit by severe flooding, the UN has warned. A top humanitarian official said there were concerns UN aid helicopters could be targeted amid the rising tensions. He called for a peace corridor in case of an escalation between the Islamic body controlling much of Somalia and the transitional government. The UN appealed for $15m (£10m) for its operations for Somali flood victims. Some 1.8 million people affected by the floods in parts of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The aid effort in Somalia is especially difficult because of the lack of infrastructure following 15 years of conflict and the absence of a central government. "The task ahead is huge," the UN humanitarian chief for Somalia, Eric Laroche, told journalists in Kenya. He lamented Thursday's announcement by Ethiopia that it was prepared for an attack by its eastern neighbour. "I think it is not the right time to be putting oil on the fire," he said. Camp rethink In north-east Kenya, the UN refugee agency has dropped plans to relocate tens of thousands of Somali refugees because of the threat of rising flood waters. The camp was set up in 1991 for refugees fleeing civil war in Somalia, and many of its long-standing residents did not want to abandon property, businesses and school and hospital facilities at the site. The floods in the Horn of Africa follow last year's droughts in the region. That left the earth unable to absorb the heavy rains, leading to flash floods in Ethiopia, as well as Somalia and Kenya. The UN has said the floods could be the worst in the region for 50 years. The rains are expected to continue for another month. <hr> Have you been affected? Are you an aid worker? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. <a name="say"></a><form action="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/cgiemail/newstalk/form_all.txt" method="post"> <input name="email_subject" type="hidden" value="Kenya floods HYS 6164564"> <input name="mailto" type="hidden" value="talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk"> <input name="success" type="hidden" value="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/have_your_say/html/have_your_say_thanks.stm"> Name |