The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a relief operation in the war-torn African country of Somalia, Emirates News Agency reported on Wednesday.

"The RCA will deliver food and medical aid to the tune of 11 million dirhams (about 3 million U.S. dollars) to displaced people in Somalia," RCA Chairman Khalifa Nasser Al Suweidi was quoted as saying.

The assistance was ordered by the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Suweidi added.

"The RCA is intensifying its relief operations in Somalia to fend off the potential risks that most poor and underprivileged sectors might face," he said.

The UAE humanitarian group is "working to meet the basic needs of displaced population from food, medicines to shelter," he added.

The devastating warfare in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, began late last year when the country's transitional government called for Ethiopian troops to help drive away the Supreme Council Islamic Courts (SCIC).

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 320,000 people have fled Mogadishu since February.

Since Somalia's civil war broke out in 1991, militia loyal to clan and sub-clan-based factions have controlled different parts of the country, with no central authority to provide law and order or basic services to the population. (1 U.S. dollar= 3.67 dirhams)

Source: Xinhua