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Somalia faces aid crisis, says UN Somalia faces aid crisis, says UN
(about 1 hour later)
The UN has warned of a humanitarian disaster in Somalia, as fighting continues between insurgents and government-backed Ethiopian forces.The UN has warned of a humanitarian disaster in Somalia, as fighting continues between insurgents and government-backed Ethiopian forces.
More than 200,000 people have fled their homes amid ongoing clashes in the capital of Mogadishu, the UN said.More than 200,000 people have fled their homes amid ongoing clashes in the capital of Mogadishu, the UN said.
But it said the fighting had made it hard to deliver aid to the displaced.But it said the fighting had made it hard to deliver aid to the displaced.
Most people lacked food and water and hundreds had already died from cholera and diarrhoea, UN humanitarian co-ordinator Eric Laroche said.Most people lacked food and water and hundreds had already died from cholera and diarrhoea, UN humanitarian co-ordinator Eric Laroche said.
Most of the displaced were women and children, Mr Laroche said, with many men remaining in the capital.Most of the displaced were women and children, Mr Laroche said, with many men remaining in the capital.
"It is time that we get access to the people in Mogadishu," he said."It is time that we get access to the people in Mogadishu," he said.
'Aid blocked''Aid blocked'
Friday's renewed fighting in Mogadishu comes after at least 20 people were killed on Thursday after an Ethiopian convoy was mined 20km from Mogadishu on the southern road to Afgooye. The renewed fighting in Mogadishu comes after at least 20 people were killed on Thursday after an Ethiopian convoy was mined 20km from Mogadishu on the southern road to Afgooye.
Eyewitnesses said there had also been a big explosion at an Ethiopian army complex south of the city.Eyewitnesses said there had also been a big explosion at an Ethiopian army complex south of the city.
Eyewitnesses say a troop carrier was mined in the attack Eyewitnesses say a troop carrier was mined in the attackCorrespondents say it is not known what triggered the fighting in the city on Thursday morning.
Correspondents say it is not known what triggered the fighting in the city on Thursday morning.
"Six consecutive missiles hit... There are many wounded," said Hassan Ibrahim, as he drove a minibus full of the wounded to a hospital."Six consecutive missiles hit... There are many wounded," said Hassan Ibrahim, as he drove a minibus full of the wounded to a hospital.
The shelling was centred around the central presidential palace, the former defence ministry and a former secondary school in the north.The shelling was centred around the central presidential palace, the former defence ministry and a former secondary school in the north.
An eyewitness who saw the explosion at the Ethiopian army base told the BBC Somali Service the rising debris and smoke looked like a "flying mountain". An eyewitness who saw the explosion at the Ethiopian army base told the BBC Somali service the rising debris and smoke looked like a "flying mountain".
He said people fleeing the area told him that after the blast Ethiopian troops started firing at people passing by; bodies are reported to be strewn along the street.He said people fleeing the area told him that after the blast Ethiopian troops started firing at people passing by; bodies are reported to be strewn along the street.
Ethiopia helped government forces oust an Islamist group from Mogadishu last December but violence has continued.Ethiopia helped government forces oust an Islamist group from Mogadishu last December but violence has continued.
Aid agencies say women and children have fled Mogadishu and the city is now inhabited only by soldiers, militia and men protecting what is left of their property.Aid agencies say women and children have fled Mogadishu and the city is now inhabited only by soldiers, militia and men protecting what is left of their property.
The United Nations says at least 200,000 people have fled Mogadishu since December, when the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) were ousted.The United Nations says at least 200,000 people have fled Mogadishu since December, when the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) were ousted.
The BBC's Adam Mynott says the displaced are living scattered across southern and central Somalia in appalling conditions.The BBC's Adam Mynott says the displaced are living scattered across southern and central Somalia in appalling conditions.
There are also claims that the transitional government has blocked aid from getting to those some of those who need it.There are also claims that the transitional government has blocked aid from getting to those some of those who need it.