The worsening security situation in Mogadishu continues to severely limit access for humanitarian workers to people in need of humanitarian assistance.
As fighting in Mogadishu rages, the UN estimates that over 12,000 people have fled their homes over the past week since March 21. A total of 17,000 have fled the capital city of Mogadishu in March and more than 40,000 had to flee the city in February.
NRC is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Mogadishu and the recent upsurge in violence, resulting in displacement of people. If the warring parties cannot agree to talk, the violence is likely to continue, sparking fears of more intense fighting in the coming days.
Reports from the local NGOs say that hundreds of people can be seen at the bus stations trying to leave Mogadishu and on the streets pushing their belongings on wheelbarrows and donkey-carts heading out of the city to nearby regions to seek refuge. Most of these displaced people are staying close to Mogadishu in Lower and Middle Shabella regions with the intention of returning if the situation improves.
The exodus and displacement of people will further stretch the already limited coping mechanisms of the vulnerable civilian population resulting in grave human rights and protection issues. Just over the past few weeks significant violations have been witnessed in regards to targeted killings of civilians and innocent people including women and children being caught in the cross fire.
NRC is concerned about the lack of options for IDPs for the following reasons:
- The border to Kenya continues to be closed. Therefore people have limited access to safe areas in the south and are at risk of getting trapped.
- The worsening security situation in Mogadishu continues to severely limit the access for the humanitarian workers to people in need of humanitarian assistance.
- As the displaced need to rely on clan protection for their physical safety, their possibilities of seeking refuge in the northern parts of central Somalia and Puntland is limited. Those having fled to Galkayo have reportedly been harassed.
NRC urges the warring parties to resume dialogue and strengthen their efforts towards restoring peace and stability by refraining from engaging in any further hostilities. NRC would also urge the Kenyan Government to consider opening the border putting in place the required screening procedures in order to facilitate the much needed access, strengthen the options for the displaced and to enable the people to seek protection.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
