This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-14132721

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Horn of Africa drought: UK charities boost Somalia aid Horn of Africa drought: UK charities boost Somalia aid
(21 days later)
British aid agencies are preparing to expand their activities in Somalia to help some of the 10 million people at risk of starvation in East Africa.British aid agencies are preparing to expand their activities in Somalia to help some of the 10 million people at risk of starvation in East Africa.
Relief operations have been constrained by the security situation in Somalia.Relief operations have been constrained by the security situation in Somalia.
But Islamist militant group al-Shabab last week announced it was lifting a ban on foreign aid organisations because of the severity of the drought.But Islamist militant group al-Shabab last week announced it was lifting a ban on foreign aid organisations because of the severity of the drought.
The UK's Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal after severe drought in the Horn of Africa.The UK's Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal after severe drought in the Horn of Africa.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said Somalia, where there has been no national government for 20 years, was one of the hardest places in the world to deliver aid.The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said Somalia, where there has been no national government for 20 years, was one of the hardest places in the world to deliver aid.
Most international aid agencies in the country have been banned from working in areas under the control of al-Shabab, which is thought to have links to al-Qaeda.Most international aid agencies in the country have been banned from working in areas under the control of al-Shabab, which is thought to have links to al-Qaeda.
DEC charities are preparing to increase their work in southern Somalia as thousands of people continue to flee to Kenya, Ethiopia and even Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu.DEC charities are preparing to increase their work in southern Somalia as thousands of people continue to flee to Kenya, Ethiopia and even Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu.
One of the DEC's member charities, Islamic Relief, said its priorities in Somalia were focused on providing food aid, healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities.One of the DEC's member charities, Islamic Relief, said its priorities in Somalia were focused on providing food aid, healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities.
It said one of its projects has been working in camps in the Afgooye corridor - a 20km-long strip of land north-west of Mogadishu - where it has provided emergency food aid to 3,425 households.It said one of its projects has been working in camps in the Afgooye corridor - a 20km-long strip of land north-west of Mogadishu - where it has provided emergency food aid to 3,425 households.
The charity said £50 could provide clean water to 1,000 people, while £100 could provide emergency food to 100 families per day.The charity said £50 could provide clean water to 1,000 people, while £100 could provide emergency food to 100 families per day.
BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles said the agencies were now looking at every opportunity to help people in Somalia, although the new arrangements with al-Shabab are still to be tested.BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles said the agencies were now looking at every opportunity to help people in Somalia, although the new arrangements with al-Shabab are still to be tested.
Al-Shabab is officially labelled as a terrorist group by the UK and the US, and some donor governments are known to be worried about the possible diversion of aid to the insurgents.Al-Shabab is officially labelled as a terrorist group by the UK and the US, and some donor governments are known to be worried about the possible diversion of aid to the insurgents.
The DEC, a group of the UK's leading aid agencies, launched the fund-raising appeal with a series of TV and radio broadcasts on Friday. By Monday it had raised £9m.The DEC, a group of the UK's leading aid agencies, launched the fund-raising appeal with a series of TV and radio broadcasts on Friday. By Monday it had raised £9m.
Comedian Lenny Henry fronted the BBC TV appeal, while broadcaster Kate Adie voiced a radio version.Comedian Lenny Henry fronted the BBC TV appeal, while broadcaster Kate Adie voiced a radio version.

Extended drought is causing a severe food crisis in the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. Weather conditions over the Pacific means the rains have failed for two seasons and are unlikely to return until September.
An estimated 10 million people in the region are affected by the drought. The UN has declared a famine in two areas of southern Somalia, where 30% of children are acutely malnourished and four children out of every 10,000 are dying daily.
The humanitarian problem is made worse by ongoing conflicts. Militants had lifted a ban on aid agencies operating in parts of southern Somalia, but now say reports of famine are exaggerated and have again limited access.
Since the beginning of 2011, around 15,000 Somalis each month have fled into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia looking for food and water. The refugee camp at Dadaab, in Kenya, has been overwhelmed by an estimated 400,000 people.
Farmers unable to meet their basic food costs are abandoning their herds. High cereal and fuel prices had already forced them to sell many animals before the drought and their smaller herds are now unprofitable or dying.
The refugee problem may have been preventable. However, violent conflict in the region has deterred international investment in long-term development programmes, which may have reduced the effects of the drought.
Development aid would focus on reducing deforestation, topsoil erosion and overgrazing and improving water conservation. New roads and infrastructure for markets would help farmers increase their profits.
The result of climate conditions, conflict and lack of investment is that 6.7 million people in Kenya and Ethiopia are currently existing on food rations, and relief agencies estimate 2.6 million in Somalia will need assistance a new emergency operation.
BACK {current} of {total} NEXT

Extended drought is causing a severe food crisis in the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. Weather conditions over the Pacific means the rains have failed for two seasons and are unlikely to return until September.
An estimated 12.5 million people in the region are affected by the drought. The UN has declared a famine in five areas of southern Somalia, where 50% of children are acutely malnourished and four children out of every 10,000 are dying daily.
The humanitarian problem is made worse by ongoing conflicts. Militants had lifted a ban on aid agencies operating in parts of southern Somalia, but now say reports of famine are exaggerated and have again limited access.
Since the beginning of 2011, around 15,000 Somalis each month have fled into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia looking for food and water. The refugee camp at Dadaab, in Kenya, has been overwhelmed by an estimated 400,000 people.
Farmers unable to meet their basic food costs are abandoning their herds. High cereal and fuel prices had already forced them to sell many animals before the drought and their smaller herds are now unprofitable or dying.
The refugee problem may have been preventable. However, violent conflict in the region has deterred international investment in long-term development programmes, which may have reduced the effects of the drought.
Development aid would focus on reducing deforestation, topsoil erosion and overgrazing and improving water conservation. New roads and infrastructure for markets would help farmers increase their profits.
The result of climate conditions, conflict and lack of investment is that 6.7 million people in Kenya and Ethiopia are currently existing on food rations, and relief agencies estimate 2.6 million in Somalia will need assistance a new emergency operation.
BACK {current} of {total} NEXT
The British public donated more than £1m to individual charities even before the DEC appeal was launched.The British public donated more than £1m to individual charities even before the DEC appeal was launched.
The UK has pledged £38m in food aid to drought-hit Ethiopia - enough to feed 1.3 million people for three months.The UK has pledged £38m in food aid to drought-hit Ethiopia - enough to feed 1.3 million people for three months.
Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) aid agency has started distributing aid in Mogadishu following the lifting of the ban by al-Shabab.Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) aid agency has started distributing aid in Mogadishu following the lifting of the ban by al-Shabab.
The OIC gave out dried food such as maize to some of the thousands of people who have fled to the capital recently.The OIC gave out dried food such as maize to some of the thousands of people who have fled to the capital recently.
An OIC official urged other aid groups to resume work in Somalia.An OIC official urged other aid groups to resume work in Somalia.
Thousands of families in desperate need of food and water have trekked for days from Somalia to the Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya.Thousands of families in desperate need of food and water have trekked for days from Somalia to the Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya.
The drought is the worst in East Africa for 60 years. The UN described it as a "humanitarian emergency".The drought is the worst in East Africa for 60 years. The UN described it as a "humanitarian emergency".