The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on donors on Wednesday to increase fund for its relief operations in Somalia, where hundreds of thousands of war victims need help.

In a statement, the Swiss-based agency said that it needed a further amount of 18.7 million Swiss francs (about 15.5 million U. S. dollars for its relief work in Somalia, already one of the agency's largest operations worldwide.

The new appeal, which brings the budget to a total of over 46 million francs (about 38 million U.S. dollars) for 2007, comes in response to the urgent needs of those affected by the recent fighting in Mogadishu, including the wounded and those fleeing or attempting to return, the agency said.

"The fighting follows a year in which Somalia experienced its worst floods in decades, as well as severe drought, armed conflict and widespread lawlessness, all of which has plunged the population into ever deeper poverty, added to its privations and increased its reliance on external aid," said Pascal Hundt, head of the ICRC's delegation for Somalia.

The ICRC has already stepped up its relief programs in Somalia. A water-trucking operation has been set up to provide 60,000 displaced people and local residents on the outskirts of Mogadishu with safe drinking water for three months.

Besides, shelter materials and essential household items are being distributed to 300,000 vulnerable people and full daily food rations for three months will be provided to destitute displaced families in regions across central and southern Somalia.

In the statement, the ICRC again urged all parties to the Somali conflict to respect the rules of international humanitarian law, and in particular to spare civilians, medical staff and humanitarian workers.

Source: Xinhua