The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday called for an urgent release of hijacked cargo vessel in Somalia, citing concerns for the welfare of the crew and increasing difficulties in contracting more ships to deliver urgent food aid to hungry people.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, the WFP called for a swift end to the impasse, ten days after the chartered vessel was hijacked off the coast of Somalia.

"It's vital that the crew and the vessel are released �C safely and immediately," said WFP Country Director Peter Goossens in a statement.

The ship, chartered by WFP from Mombasa-based Motaku Shipping Agency, was hijacked on Feb. 25 when sailing empty back to Mombasa after unloading 1,800 tons of food aid in Berbera and Bossaso.

On board are 12 crew members, six Sri Lankans, including the captain, and six Kenyans.

"The incident is also having a very negative impact on our ability to contract commercial ships to deliver food to vulnerable families in Somalia," he said.

WFP said it already has 2,423 tons of food aid waiting at a port in Tanzania, and despite calling for shipping contracts a week ago, there has been no expression of interest. Usually competitive bids are received within days.

"This is a direct result of the hijacking, and it threatens our ability to get food into Somalia ahead of the upcoming rainy season. It's vital that this situation is fully resolved quickly, and that all groups respect humanitarian access and delivery corridors in Somalia," Goossens said.

The next rains are expected to start in mid April. Even light rainfall is enough to close down key sections of the dilapidated road network that has seen little or no repair work in Somalia since 1991.

Food stocks need to be moved to strategic locations well in advance.

WFP said it has more than 14,000 tons of food within Somalia, enough for immediate needs, but supplies must be continually replenished.

While a vessel can carry thousands of tons in a single voyage, the largest trucks with trailers moving through Somalia can take only 30 tons each, and many carry less.

"While WFP uses road transport convoys to move food across the border from Kenya into nearby regions, moving large amounts of cargo the length of the country is up to 40 percent more expensive and is slower," it said.

"They can also be dangerous -- WFP contracted truck convoys are vulnerable to hijacking and holdups at impromptu checkpoints mounted by local militias and armed groups."

Source: Xinhua