Somalia still waiting for aid

2005-01-03 20:07

Nairobi, Kenya - At least 50 000 people are still waiting for emergency aid, more than a week after deadly tsunamis slammed into the shores of Somalia, the government said on Monday.

Some 24 countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia, have pledged to send relief supplies to Somalia, but nothing has arrived on the ground, said Somali presidential spokesperson Yusuf Mohamed Ismail. He said survivors urgently need food, water, shelter and medical help after losing their homes and livelihoods.

"We are very happy that relief supplies have arrived in Asia, which was hit the hardest by the tragedy, but Somalia - which has been ravaged from a 13-year civil war, drought and political neglect - also needs emergency help to deal with the latest calamity," Yusuf told The Associated Press.

At least 200 people were killed and many others are missing after violent waves hammered the Somali coast on Dec 26, Yusuf said.

Some of those affected have begun receiving food aid from United Nations agencies that diverted supplies intended for Somalis suffering from a four-year drought, Yusuf and UN officials said.

Most of the victims are from the Indian Ocean coastline of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, including the northeastern Hafun island that was hardest hit by the tsunamis.

- AP