Somali IDPs Facing Harsh Living Conditions in Mogadishu Camp
(AWP) - Hundreds of displaced Somali families at a camp on the outskirts of the capital, Mogadishu, are facing difficult living conditions amid a shortage of aid they had previously relied on, as the activity of local and international humanitarian organizations has declined over recent months.
More internally displaced persons (IDPs) have recently arrived at the al-Adala camp to flee floods and wars affecting most of the southern regions, with the hope of finding a better life.
Zahra Aly, al-Adala camp director, said the camp accommodates 754 displaced families though it has been receiving more arrivals over recent weeks.
She added, “The living conditions in this camp have deteriorated as it has not received any humanitarian aid in five months.”
The lack of humanitarian aid and lack of opportunities to make a living have aggravated the suffering of the IDPs, who say they have not received any humanitarian aid in six months, and warn of the deteriorating conditions in the camps which Somali officials say house more than half a million displaced people.
Khadija Mohamed Adam, a displaced woman, says, “The floods forced us to flee after they swept through our homes and farmlands in the Lower Shabelle region in the south of the country. We have nothing. We sought refuge in this camp, but no one extends a hand to us. Our life is difficult, and we appeal to the authorities to provide us with assistance.”
Another displaced woman, Halima Ahmed, spoke of her suffering in a life of displacement.
She said, “We have been displaced from the town of Qoryoley in the Lower Shabelle region due to the wars there. We sought refuge in this camp, but we don’t have anything to eat. We suffer from poor humanitarian conditions and appeal for aid.”