Uptick in attacks forces UN food agency to shut down programmes in Somalia

United Nations, New York, 5 January 2010 The World Food Programme, (WFP), has suspended its operations in much of Southern Somalia, due to rising security threats and attacks on humanitarian operation.




WFP offices in half-a-dozen locations in the south have been temporarily closed and food supplies plus equipment have been moved out of these areas. Staff have also been moved to safer areas to ensure that food assistance reaches as many vulnerable people as possible.

The decision means that about one million people in Southern Somalia will not be able to receive much-needed assistance, and WFP is deeply concerned about rising hunger and suffering among the most vulnerable.

WFP however continues to provide life-saving food assistance in the rest of Somalia, including the capital Mogadishu.

News story:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33402&Cr=somalia&Cr1=

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• United Nations
• UN
• WFP
• World Food Programme
• Somalia
• Southern Somalia
• Humanitarian affairs
• Security
• Food
• Safer areas
• Food assistance
• Vulnerable people
• Hunger
• Starvation
• Mogadishu