African Union troops remain on the offensive in Somalia in an effort to ease the flow of food aid to the famine-stricken country. A spokesman for the AU peacekeeping force, Paddy Akunda, tells VOA that troops are trying to capture a Mogadishu football stadium and other key areas controlled by militant group al-Shabab. Al-Shabab has […]
AU Force Presses Offensive to Ease Somali Food Aid
UN Calls for $1.4 Billion More in Aid for Horn of Africa
The United Nations has appealed for a further $1.4 billion to provide humanitarian aid to more than 12 million people in drought-stricken countries in the Horn of Africa. The U.N. humanitarian aid agency said Friday that if aid response does not increase along with the region’s rising needs, famine in two regions of Somalia could […]
UN Says One-Third of Somalis Needing Aid Are Children
The United Nations children’s agency says about one-third of Somalis in need of aid in the drought-struck southern part of the country are children. UNICEF said Friday that some 1.25 million children are among the 3.7 million Somalis in urgent need, as the country experiences its worst drought in 60 years. Also Friday, a second […]
10 Killed in Battle to Keep Somali Aid Flowing
At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, Thursday as African Union and government troops fought militants trying to stop food aid from being dispersed in the country. Fighting broke out a day after the United Nations’ World Food Program airlifted 14 tons of food into Somalia, which is […]
10 Killed in Battle to Keep Somali Aid Flowing
At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, Thursday as African Union and government troops fought militants trying to stop food aid from entering the country. Fighting broke out a day after the United Nations’ World Food Program airlifted 14 tons of food into Somalia, which is experiencing its […]
10 Killed in Battle to Keep Somali Aid Flowing
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed in the Somali capital Mogadishu, as African Union and government forces battle militants to protect the flow of food aid. Witnesses said the deaths occurred during heavy fighting Thursday — one day after the World Food Program airlifted 14 tons of food into Mogadishu. At […]
6 Killed in Battle to Keep Somali Aid Flowing
At least six people are reported to have been killed in the Somali capital Mogadishu, as African Union and government forces battle to protect the flow of food aid against militant attacks. Witnesses said the deaths occurred during heavy fighting Thursday — one day after the World Food Program airlifted 14 tons of food into […]
WFP Begins Food Airlifts to Somalia
The U.N. World Food Program has begun emergency airlifts of food to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa. A WFP official has confirmed to VOA that the first plane, carrying more than 14 tons of food, landed Wednesday in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. This is believed to be the first airlift of food to Somalia since […]
UN Food Airlift to Horn of Africa Set to Begin
The U.N. World Food Program is set to begin its emergency airlift of food to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa on Wednesday. WFP director Josette Sheeran told VOA the first flights will head to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Additional planes are expected to carry food to eastern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, near the Somali border. On […]
UN Food Headed to Drought-Stricken Areas in Africa
The U.N. World Food Program says it will begin to airlift food to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa on Wednesday. WFP director Josette Sheeran told VOA Tuesday the first flights will head to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The airlift was scheduled to begin Tuesday, but the flights were held up by logistical problems in Kenya. The […]