AFRICA/SOMALIA - Caritas operations in Somalia were not affected by the ban of the Shabab against foreign NGOs

Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - "At the moment, no Caritas operation has been affected by the decision of the Shabab to close the activities of humanitarian organizations in different areas of Somalia controlled by them" refers to Fides Suzanna Tkalec, head of Caritas Somalia. "Our only concern is to help those affected by famine. For this reason, Caritas and its local and foreign partners have decided to operate in total discretion, not releasing detailed information on their activities on the Somali ground".
In late November, the Shabab forced the closure of 16 between NGOs and United Nations humanitarian agencies accused of illegal activities in Somalia. "Every organization working in activities deemed harmful to the creation of an Islamic State or engaged in activities other than those officially declared will be banned immediately, without
notice" is what is read in a statement released by the Shabab.
The Fundamentalists have to face the military offensive which has been launched for a few weeks in southern Somalia by the armed forces of Kenya, while they had to cede control of the capital Mogadishu to the troops of the African mission that supports the transitional Government. This does not prevent the Shabab to make deadly attacks in the city as for example the one that aimed to kill the Somali army commander, carried out by a suicide bomber on November 30.
Regarding the situation in Dadaab, the Kenyian location where the highest concentration of Somali refugees in the world live, the representative of Caritas Somalia says: "We hope that security conditions are restored, allowing us to provide more assistance to the people housed in camps. Besides, persistent rains make the situation even more complicated". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 01/12/2011)