- – The United Nations says international food aid to drought-stricken Somalia has been stolen and sold in markets in the country.
- – As many as 3.7 million Somalis — half the country’s population — are believed to be at risk of starvation after a severe drought.
– The UN has declared 5 regions, including the capital Mogadishu, in a state of famine, and has been calling for international assistance.
– But efforts to distribute relief supplies have been hampered by deteriorating security.
– The UN World Food Program says it has confirmed that some of the food aid is being sold in markets in Mogadishu.
– Video footage shows bags of food imprinted with Japan’s national flag piled up inside a store, along with nutritional supplements for children. The supplies were apparently stolen during transport or distribution.
– The revelations underscore the need to better monitor food aid in Somalia.
– Foreign aid workers are increasingly at risk of being caught up in fighting between interim government forces and Muslim extremists.
– Tuesday, August 16, 2011 14:44 +0900 (JST)
Source: stevemacbr
Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.