Interview: Action urged on dire humanitarian situation in Somalia, S. Sudan: ICRC chief

The international community must galvanize financial resources and political action to contain a dire humanitarian situation in Somalia and South Sudan, an international relief agency official said here on Tuesday.

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that conflicts and natural calamities have exacerbated the humanitarian crises in the two African nations.

"Civilian population in Somalia is still suffering from effects of war. At present we have continuous disruption by violence in the horn of African state and this is a major concern," Maurer remarked.

ICRC has been providing humanitarian assistance to Somalia in the last 25 years since the country erupted into civil strife.

Maurer regretted that insecurity has undermined provision of relief food, medicine and water to civilians displaced by war in Somalia.

He clarified that distribution of emergency assistance to internally displaced civilians has improved in several regions like Jubaland and Somaliland in Somalia in the last 12 months.

Maurer is also optimistic that presidential elections to be held in Somalia at the end of October will usher in a new era of peace and stability.

"We all hope that over time, the conflict in Somalia will be resolved and the situation gets better. We are determined to stabilize livelihoods in Somalia," said Maurer.

He added that ICRC will continue to support innovative programs that strengthen the resilience of Somalia people in the face of devastation caused by civil turmoil and natural calamities.

"Currently, we are supporting local farmers with inputs such as seeds and tractors. We encourage agricultural activities to feed the population," Maurer said.

Speaking of South Sudan, Maurer warned that the humanitarian crisis in the world's youngest nation could worsen unless an urgent political solution is found.

"South Sudan today is our second largest operation after Syria and Afghanistan," said Maurer, noting that a political solution to the South Sudan conflict is urgent to end suffering of civilians.

Relief agencies in 2015 made the largest humanitarian appeal since the Second World War totaling 25 billion U.S. dollars.

Maurer stressed that strengthening resilience of communities in trouble spots is key to revitalizing social stability and economic growth. Endit