fiogf49gjkf0d
Monday, March 16, 2009
NAIROBI (IRIN) - An estimated 30,000 people were displaced in Wabho town in the Galgadud region following fighting between Islamist groups over the weekend, locals told IRIN.
"Most of the residents of Wabho and the surrounding villages fled after intense fighting between two groups," said Khalif Kariye, the deputy district commissioner of Eil Buur, 40km northwest of the area of fighting.
He said local people had helped the displaced with food and shelter.
"Many residents and [members of the] diaspora have contributed money to buy food, but it was not enough," Kariye said, adding that water was a big problem. "We have, so far, been unable to deliver water because we don’t have enough resources."
Those displaced fled to the countryside, “with some areas lacking even one water well", he said. "Hopefully the situation will stabilise and we can begin returning people but at the moment it is desperate."
A local journalist, who requested anonymity, said the fighting between the Al-Shabab and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASW) Islamist groups began on 14 March, with ASW trying to dislodge Al-Shabab from the area.
He said the fighting "was most intense on Sunday, with both sides using heavy weapons".
Fighting began in late December 2008, with ASW dislodging Al-Shabab from Dusamareb, the regional capital, and Guri-Eil. At least 146 people were killed and 231 injured according to human rights sources.
Lack of medical supplies
Faisal Haji, a doctor at the Eil Buur Hospital, told IRIN the hospital - supported by locals in the diaspora - had run out of all supplies.
"The only thing we have plenty of is gauze," he said. "We really don’t have much to help the serious injuries.”
He said the injured who reached the hospital were a mix of combatants and civilians. “There are a number of villagers caught in the crossfire.”
The area was reported to be calm on 16 March but the journalist told IRIN the two sides were still facing each other. “I think they are taking their injured to hospitals and burying their dead.”
Abductions
Meanwhile, unknown armed men abducted four UN staff members on 16 March in Waajid, southern Somalia, according to a statement from the office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.
“They were on their way to the airport when their convoy was stopped by gunmen," the statement indicated, adding that "no violence or shooting was reported to have occurred during the incident”.
The UN and local authorities "are doing everything to secure the unconditional release of the staff".
Aid workers estimate that more than three million Somalis need assistance, but insecurity has made it difficult to access those in need.
ah/mw