The United States is providing over 16.5 million dollars in humanitarian aid to Somalia to help refugees displaced by fighting between the government forces and rival Islamists, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement on Thursday.

"The United States is providing $11.5 million in food aid through the World Food Program, $1.5 million in non-food assistance through the United Nations Children's Fund, and $3.575 million through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and implementing partners for assistance to Somali refugees," the statement said.

"These resources will help an additional 18,000 people displaced by recent floods and conflict. We intend to seek additional substantial assistance to help Somalia with humanitarian, security and reconstruction efforts," Rice said.

Moreover, Rice said that she will also dispatch U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer to the Horn of Africa region to urge inclusive dialogue, reconciliation to build "a legitimate, functioning government that will serve all Somalis."

After a six-month control of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, the Islamic Courts had to desert their last stronghold on Monday after two weeks of war against Somali government forces. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said last month that 55,000 to 60,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Somalia.

Source: Xinhua