UN humanitarian officials
say the security situation in Somalia deteriorated dramatically over the past
week. They say civilians, humanitarian workers and civil society groups have been
targeted in various parts of the country.
For
example, 40 civilians, mainly women and children, were reported killed in
Mogadishu. Most were caught in crossfire or died when mortar shells hit their
homes. At least 70 civilians were wounded in the city.
UN officials also say it's getting
even more difficult to deliver humanitarian aid. Nevertheless, the world food
program says it has increased food assistance to the displaced along the
corridor between Mogadishu and Afgooye. The number of people receiving food aid
in that area is now 326,000, up from 200,000 in May. The WFP is planning to
send a food ship from Durban by the middle of this month, but so far there is
no naval escort available to protect it from pirates.
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