SOMALIA: "Urgent" access to drought communities needed

NAIROBI, 19 January 2011 (IRIN) - With drought worsening across Somalia, officials in the south and central parts of the country - largely controlled by Islamist opposition groups - have appealed for access to communities that have reported deaths of people and livestock.
"This is not about politics; it is about saving lives. Those in control should not only allow access but take part in reaching those that need help," Ibrahim Habeb Nur, a member of parliament, told IRIN on 18 January.
He said the drought could get worse in the coming months, with the affected populations needing urgent help after losing their livelihoods.
"We have reports of people dying because of lack of water and food," Nur said. "Every region from Ras Kambone [in the south] to Ras Aser [in the north] is affected.
"We are looking at two to three months with no possibility of rains,” Nur said. "This is as bad as I can remember. We are facing a catastrophe and all us Somalis and aid agencies should pull together to save lives before it is too late."
He said the drought had forced many families into towns and urban centres in search of help.Read More