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Horn of Africa drought: First new aid for Somalia Horn of Africa drought: Somalia aid supplies boosted
(about 2 hours later)
The first new distribution of aid has begun in Mogadishu since Somali Islamist group al-Shabab lifted its ban on aid workers last week. An Islamic aid agency has started distributing aid in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, following the lifting of a ban on aid work by al-Shabab militants.
Two decades of conflict mean Somalia is the country worst affected by the Horn of Africa drought.Two decades of conflict mean Somalia is the country worst affected by the Horn of Africa drought.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gave out dried food such as maize to some of the thousands of people who have fled to the capital recently.The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gave out dried food such as maize to some of the thousands of people who have fled to the capital recently.
An OIC official urged other aid groups to resume work in Somalia.An OIC official urged other aid groups to resume work in Somalia.
Some 10 million people are said to be affected by the Horn of Africa's worst drought in 60 years.Some 10 million people are said to be affected by the Horn of Africa's worst drought in 60 years.
Some 3,000 people a day are arriving from Somalia in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia seeking assistance. An estimated 3,000 people a day are arriving from Somalia in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia seeking assistance.
UN envoy to Somalia Mark Bowden has also arrived in Mogadishu to assess the humanitarian situation and discuss how the UN can help.UN envoy to Somalia Mark Bowden has also arrived in Mogadishu to assess the humanitarian situation and discuss how the UN can help.
At the weekend, UN refugee agency chief Antonio Guterres urged aid agencies to go into Somalia to help drought victims, if obstacles of security can be overcome.At the weekend, UN refugee agency chief Antonio Guterres urged aid agencies to go into Somalia to help drought victims, if obstacles of security can be overcome.

Extended drought is causing a severe food crisis in the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. Weather conditions over the Pacific means the rains have failed for two seasons and are unlikely to return until September.
Food shortages are affecting up to 12 million people. The UN has not declared a famine but large areas of the region are now classified as in crisis or emergency, with malnutrition affecting up to 35-40% of children under five.
The humanitarian problem is made worse by ongoing conflicts, which means that until July militant groups had only allowed aid organisations limited access to large parts of southern Somalia and eastern Ethiopia.
Since the beginning of 2011, around 15,000 Somalis each month have fled into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia looking for food and water. The refugee camp at Dadaab, in Kenya, has been overwhelmed by 370,000 people.
Farmers unable to meet their basic food costs are abandoning their herds. High cereal and fuel prices had already forced them to sell many animals before the drought and their smaller herds are now unprofitable or dying.
The refugee problem may have been preventable. However, violent conflict in the region has deterred international investment in long-term development programmes, which may have reduced the effects of the drought.
Development aid would focus on reducing deforestation, topsoil erosion and overgrazing and improving water conservation. New roads and infrastructure for markets would help farmers increase their profits.
The result of climate conditions, conflict and lack of investment is that 6.7 million people in Kenya and Ethiopia are currently existing on food rations, and relief agencies estimate 2.6 million in Somalia will need assistance a new emergency operation.
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Extended drought is causing a severe food crisis in the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. Weather conditions over the Pacific means the rains have failed for two seasons and are unlikely to return until September.
Food shortages are affecting up to 12 million people. The UN has not declared a famine but large areas of the region are now classified as in crisis or emergency, with malnutrition affecting up to 35-40% of children under five.
The humanitarian problem is made worse by ongoing conflicts, which means that until July militant groups had only allowed aid organisations limited access to large parts of southern Somalia and eastern Ethiopia.
Since the beginning of 2011, around 15,000 Somalis each month have fled into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia looking for food and water. The refugee camp at Dadaab, in Kenya, has been overwhelmed by 370,000 people.
Farmers unable to meet their basic food costs are abandoning their herds. High cereal and fuel prices had already forced them to sell many animals before the drought and their smaller herds are now unprofitable or dying.
The refugee problem may have been preventable. However, violent conflict in the region has deterred international investment in long-term development programmes, which may have reduced the effects of the drought.
Development aid would focus on reducing deforestation, topsoil erosion and overgrazing and improving water conservation. New roads and infrastructure for markets would help farmers increase their profits.
The result of climate conditions, conflict and lack of investment is that 6.7 million people in Kenya and Ethiopia are currently existing on food rations, and relief agencies estimate 2.6 million in Somalia will need assistance a new emergency operation.
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"People are suffering. We need to take action immediately to save the Somali people," the OIC's Ahmed Mohamed Aden told the BBC."People are suffering. We need to take action immediately to save the Somali people," the OIC's Ahmed Mohamed Aden told the BBC.
The Saudi-based group has so far distributed aid in government-controlled areas of Mogadishu but it has also sent assessment teams to areas where al-Shabab is in charge.The Saudi-based group has so far distributed aid in government-controlled areas of Mogadishu but it has also sent assessment teams to areas where al-Shabab is in charge.
The al-Qaeda linked group controls much of southern and central Somalia.The al-Qaeda linked group controls much of southern and central Somalia.
The BBC's Mohamed Moalimuu in Mogadishu says that al-Shabab prefers Islamic aid groups, even though it has said it will treat all aid agencies equally during the current crisis.The BBC's Mohamed Moalimuu in Mogadishu says that al-Shabab prefers Islamic aid groups, even though it has said it will treat all aid agencies equally during the current crisis.
Mr Aden admitted that his staff were taking a risk by operating in Somalia but said it was worth taking because of the desperate need.Mr Aden admitted that his staff were taking a risk by operating in Somalia but said it was worth taking because of the desperate need.
"We have moved to many areas freely. I encourage other aid groups to come and join us.""We have moved to many areas freely. I encourage other aid groups to come and join us."
Most foreign aid agencies withdrew from Somalia after al-Shabab banned them in 2009.Most foreign aid agencies withdrew from Somalia after al-Shabab banned them in 2009.
A few groups have managed to continue operating despite the ban.
Aid workers have been kidnapped and their supplies looted during the years of anarchy since Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.Aid workers have been kidnapped and their supplies looted during the years of anarchy since Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.