ICRC Temporarily Suspends Food & Seed Distributions In Parts Of Central and Southern Somalia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has decided to temporarily suspend its food and seed distributions after authorities blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid in parts of central and southern Somalia. The head of the ICRC delegation for Somalia, Patrick Vial, said the suspension will continue until the ICRC receive assurances from authorities controlling those areas that distributions can take place unimpeded and reach all those in need, as previously agreed. The distributions, which started in October last year, have already benefited more than 1.1 million people despite major logistical constraints, the ICRC said in a statement. However, the ICRC said that since mid-December, local authorities in central and southern Somalia have blocked delivery of food intended for 240,000 people in the Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud regions. "We are actively seeking the cooperation of local authorities to restore conditions that will allow the resumption of suspended activities as soon as possible," Vial said The food and seed were to be distributed to the people most affected by the combined effects of two decades of armed conflict and the severe drought that has gripped Somalia since October 2010, the organisation said. Apart from food distribution, the ICRC also maintains long-term activities aimed at helping people regain self-sufficiency by providing them with improved access to clean water, health care and other essentials of daily life. -- BERNAMA