UN says global humanitarian law being violated in Somalia

A senior United Nations official has said the ongoing violence in the Somali capital Mogadishu is violating international humanitarian law in the Horn of African nation.

"The recent indiscriminate shelling in Mogadishu and spreading fighting in the environs of the capital have resulted in enormous human suffering," said Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs in a statement.

"At a time when people most need medical care and surgical attention, the occupation of Keysaney hospital by armed fighters constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian law," Egeland said in a statement issued by UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The Somali capital has seen some of the worst fighting in a decade with 300 people dead, 1,500 injured and 17,000 displaced.

According to OCHA, the situation of displaced people in Somalia, mainly fleeing fighting in the south of the country, is an increasing humanitarian disaster.

"Due to the intensity of the recent fighting, an increasing number of civilians have been unable to reach medical facilities," it said.

The recent upsurge in hostilities comes at a time when southern Somalia is experiencing a humanitarian emergency due to drought.

"The Transitional Federal Government, and all warring factions, need to do more to ensure safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians at all times, including those in Mogadishu," Egeland stressed.

Currently, he said Mogadishu is the only capital in the world where the UN does not have access for international humanitarian staff, due to insecurity and despite an estimated 250,000 internally displaced living in the city.

"The aid community is especially concerned over the delay in the polio and measles campaigns," said Egeland.

The United Nations is trying to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people and continues to seek the 326 million U.S. dollars estimated to cover the urgent humanitarian needs in Somalia for 2006.

Five months into 2006, the United Nations appeal for Somalia has garnered only 135 million dollars of the funds required. While needs for food are 60 percent covered, all other needs identified in the appeal have less than 25 percent of the funds required.

Source: Xinhua