Some relief agencies have temporarily suspended their operations in the Somali town of Dhobley near the Kenyan border due to ongoing fighting between armed groups, according to the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
“We are not able to continue our work right there. We have withdrawn our staff for the moment,” UNHCR’s spokesperson Adrian Edwards said, according to Voice of America. “However, I think we have to watch and see how that situation unfolds over the coming days.”
Edwards also called for a stop to the fighting in Dhobley, which serves as the transit point for refugees fleeing Somalia to the camps in Dadaab, Kenya.
“It is crucial this fighting stop, that we be allowed to and others, our partners, be allowed to resume this kind of work as soon as we can,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United States and Australia have announced additional assistance to the East African crisis, as well as longer-term initiatives to improve food security in the region.
The Australian government said it will double money donated by the Australian public to aid appeals of AusAID-accredited non-governmental organizations from Oct. 5 to Nov. 30.
“I call on all Australians, from individuals to businesses, to donate whatever they can spare during October and November to help us save more lives. The organizations involved all have a proven track record and are already helping those affected by the famine,” Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd said.
The top U.S. aid official, meanwhile, has announced $121.2 million worth of assistance for Ethiopia during his recent visit to the East African country, The Associated Press reports. Of the sum, $110 million will be spent on a food security initiative that is expected to benefit some 1.5 million people, $10 million will be used for a nutrition program and the rest will be provided as loans to local farmers.
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