MOGAFISHU (Halbeeg News) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had called on all those involved in the violence in Las-Anod to guarantee “safe and unimpeded access to people affected by armed clashes”.
In a statement, ICRC said more than 150 people dead and over 600 wounded in several weeks of continuous clashes between Somaliland forces and vigilantes.
“People in Las Anod urgently need humanitarian assistance, and we are acting as quickly as possible to bring it to them,” said Juerg Eglin, head of the ICRC delegation in Somalia.
“Political disputes must never stand in the way of saving lives,” ICRC said.
The ICRC together with the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) has been providing support to local hospitals to evacuate and treat the wounded. However, more resources and supplies are needed on the ground to respond to the growing humanitarian needs.
Organization pledged to scale up its response to the situation, social media posts are circulating online inciting blockage of the life-saving aid.
“Misinformation spread online can have a serious real-life impact on the security of our teams and our ability to respond to the urgent needs,” said Merick Alagbe who oversees ICRC’s operations in the area. “All our teams are working together in a strictly neutral way to ensure help gets to Las Anod,” the agency said.
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