Thousands Starving in Tsunami-Hit Somalia
- Author: News Agencies
- Publish date:12/01/2005
- Section:WORLD HEADLINES
More than 50,000 people are in need of food aid in parts of Somalia hit by the tsunami. At least 114 people died and hundreds more - mainly fishermen - are still missing after the disaster. Supplies have begun arriving by truck and air in some parts but isolated areas may have to wait days for help.
Somalia was among a handful of East African countries hit by the waves triggered by southern Asia's underwater earthquake, 6,000 kilometres away
But the problems are compounded in Somalia because of its chaotic recent history. War, famine, drought and flash floods have brought many to their knees.
As those in charge of the relief effort admit, it is difficult to separate people affected by the tsunami from those already in need of humanitarian assistance.
**Tsunami Countries' Debts Likely to Be Frozen***
Debt repayments from countries hit by the Asian tsunami are all but certain to be frozen at a meeting of the Paris Club today. The group of rich lending nations looks likely to suspend payments for a year or more. Yesterday, in Geneva, the head of the UN aid effort, Jan Egeland, said international donors have moved with record speed.
"We have 717 million dollars that we can spend on immediate emergency relief efforts - this has never happened two weeks after a disaster."
Representatives from more than 80 states held a one-minute silence for those who lost their lives in the disaster. It is thought more than 150,000 people died when the giant tidal waves struck.
**PHOTO CAPTION***
A Somalian sits in his house on the island of Hafun on January 8, 2005 which was damaged by the tsunami which hit the Indian Ocean coastline of Somalia on December 26, 2004. (REUTERS)