SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES THAT DELIVERY OF ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF FLOOD EMERGENCY IN SOMALIA DEPENDS ON SUPPORT OF FACTION LEADERS

Press Release
SG/SM/6387
AFR/27

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES THAT DELIVERY OF ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF FLOOD EMERGENCY IN SOMALIA DEPENDS ON SUPPORT OF FACTION LEADERS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General expresses deep concern over the flood emergency throughout southern Somalia -- from the Shabelle River west to the border with Kenya and from the Ethiopian border south to the sea. This flood, which has already displaced tens of thousands of Somali people, is now threatening the lives of thousands more. Without an immediate response from the international community as a whole, hunger, malnutrition, malaria and diarrhoeal diseases are expected on a large scale.

In the absence of a central government, the United Nations agencies in Somalia are doing their utmost to provide immediate relief assistance. The most urgent requirements include logistics support to access the affected areas where people are trapped.

The United Nations is issuing an appeal on 11 November to meet the urgent needs created by the flood emergency. Delivery of assistance will depend on the support of the Somali faction leaders.

The Secretary-General therefore hopes that Somali faction leaders now meeting in Cairo will use this opportunity to reach understandings that will lead to genuine all-inclusive national reconciliation, and to the establishment of mechanisms enabling the international community to relate effectively with their country once again.

The Secretary-General also would like to use this opportunity to thank the donors and humanitarian organizations who have stepped in to help fill the vacuum during this difficult period, and urgently calls on them to redouble their efforts to assist those affected by the flood emergency.

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