Al-Shabaab forces ICRC to suspend aid to Somalia
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced the suspension of food distribution to 1.1 million people in central and southern Somalia after al Shabaab militants blocked deliveries in parts of the famine-hit country.
"The suspension will continue until we receive assurances from the authorities controlling those areas that distributions can take place unimpeded and reach all those in need, as previously agreed," said Patrick Vial, the head of the ICRC delegation for Somalia.
The ICRC is one of the few organizations that have been providing humanitarian aid in those parts of Somalia. The distributions, which started in October of last year, have already benefited more than 1.1 million people despite major logistical constraints. Since mid-December, however, Al Shabaab militants in central and southern Somalia have blocked the delivery of food intended for the areas.
Over 1.1 million people are waiting for the aid.
We are actively seeking the cooperation of the local authorities to restore conditions that will allow the resumption of the suspended activities as soon as possible," said Mr. Vial.
