UN humanitarian officials say the security situation in Somalia deteriorated dramatically over the past week. They say civilians, humanitarian workers and civil society groups have been targeted in various parts of the country.
For example, 40 civilians, mainly women and children, were reported killed in Mogadishu. Most were caught in crossfire or died when mortar shells hit their homes. At least 70 civilians were wounded in the city.
UN officials also say it's getting even more difficult to deliver humanitarian aid. Nevertheless, the world food program says it has increased food assistance to the displaced along the corridor between Mogadishu and Afgooye. The number of people receiving food aid in that area is now 326,000, up from 200,000 in May. The WFP is planning to send a food ship from Durban by the middle of this month, but so far there is no naval escort available to protect it from pirates.
