Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - After the drought, torrential rains are aggravating the Somali refugees’ situation, at home and abroad. According to reports from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the refugee camps complex in Dadaab (in Kenya, bordering Somalia), about 5,000 refugees have lost their homes due to flooding.
"The humanitarian situation is also affected by the military offensive launched from Kenya in Somalia against the Shabab. Our operations are affected, because security is not yet fully guaranteed", said Suzanna Tkalec to Fides, operator of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), head of Caritas Somalia.
"On 1 November we attended a meeting in Nairobi organized by the UNHCR with the aim to take stock of the situation in Dadaab" says Suzanna Tkalec. "Due to military operations, at the moment the UNHCR and the Kenyan authorities remain in Dadaab, but they are able to provide only the essential activities: distribution of food and water, basic medical care. The opening of new camps is currently suspended. Within 2 or 3 weeks more information about security in Dadaab will be given, while our operators are on site to see how to take care of our activities, beyond those that we are implementing".
As for the inland part of Somalia, the representative of Caritas says that "military operations have exacerbated the humanitarian situation. The government of Kenya proves hopeful of an early conclusion of the intervention of its troops in Somalia. As far as we are concerned we are considering how to organize ourselves to meet the expectations of the Somali people".
Mrs. Tkalec adds that "during the meeting with the humanitarian organizations, the representatives said that the Kenyan Government in Nairobi, together with the Somali transitional government, is trying to create in southern Somalia 'buffer zones', protected by AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia). When the level of security in those areas is sufficient to ensure humanitarian operations, UNHCR and other NGOs will move to secure the services of assistance to the people".
"On 9 November a meeting of all the various Caritas working for the Somalis will be held in Nairobi, to see how to increase our outreach activities, even in such a difficult and complex situation", concluded Suzanna Tkalec. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 05/11/2011)
