The suspension leaves more than 50,000 people in a critical situation in one of the most vulnerable areas of the country
MADRID, 30 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has suspended all its humanitarian operations in the so-called Khaatumo Interim Administration, a highly conflictive region in northern Somalia due to two serious incidents of looting in recent weeks.
The Khaatumo Interim Administration (SSC-Khaatumo) is a political entity in the Sool region that has faced the forces of the separatist state of Somaliland for years – particularly since February last year – and has declared its allegiance to the Somali central government.
The region, recalls the WFP in its announcement of suspension of activities, is enormously vulnerable even by the country’s humanitarian standards, and the threat of violence is constant, as demonstrated by the 2023 combats between unionists and separatists around the largest city. important part of the administration, Las Anod, which left hundreds dead.
The UN agency claims that the suspension has been a consequence of two incidents: the first occurred on November 24, when 45 tons of food aid were looted in the municipality of Buhodle, followed by another 50 tons just three days later, according to the letter sent by the WFP coordinator for Somalia, El Jidir Daloum, and collected by the news portal Hiraan On Line.
“It is impossible for us to operate safely and effectively in these incidents,” Daloum laments of a decision that leaves more than 51,900 people without assistance because the stolen supplies were destined for 8,655 families, including malnourished children, pregnant and lactating mothers.