Somali prime minister Omar Sharmarke has called for immediate humanitarian aid as clan clashes and flooding displace hundreds and subject them to untold suffering.
Sharmarke has urged international aid agencies and local traders at large to respond to the needs of those affected by the week-long clashes and floods that have claimed lives of over thirty people.
“The situation in Beledweyne is now critical, and without sufficient response from Somali government and aid agencies, it could develop into a new, humanitarian crisis,” said Sharmarke.
According to the statement from the office of the prime minister, many families are in dire need of humanitarian assistance because of the lack of clean water and food due clan clashes and floods caused by bursting of river Shabelle banks.
Late last week, Omar Adan Ibrahim, the mayor of Beledweyne town told Media 15 people succumbed to hunger following heavy floods and fighting in Howlwadag locality which has cut off the area from any humanitarian support.
“I can confirm to you that 15 people have died within the last 24 hours. Many of them could not access food or any medical supplies. Four people were killed last night in fresh fighting,” said Ibrahim on 21st of this month.
The two clans severally clashed over control of boreholes and pasture in areas around the town, according to our correspondent in Baladweyne town Khalid Ilka Asse.
Both the clan militias clashes over four times in less than a year the latest one claimed lives two AMISOM soldiers after the troops tried to intervene” said Ilka Asse.
