Al-Shabab took control of south-central Somalia a few years ago. Since then, its members have had a hostile relationship with foreign aid groups. Al-Shabab has accused foreign workers of being spies. Militants have kidnapped some workers and killed others. And they have often seized food and other supplies meant for starving Somalis.
As a result, many foreign donors have been unwilling to send more aid.
Al-Shabab recently ended a ban on airlifts, but a UNICEF spokeswoman, Shantha Bloemen, says there are no guarantees. On Wednesday, the UN children's agency airlifted five tons of supplies to the town of Baidoa in Lower Shabelle. The supplies included food, medicine and water cleaning equipment.
Ms. Bloemen says such a large shipment could not have happened without the approval of al-Shabab.
SHANTHA BLOEMEN: "So yes, there was dialogue with local authorities, and obviously they include members of al-Shabab. But the bottom line is that we succeeded in getting those supplies in. Our staff were able to go to the airport and secure the materials and get it out to the people that need it."
Somalia is a nation of almost ten million people. It has lacked a strong central government since nineteen ninety-one.
And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I'm Steve Ember.
Contributing: Gabe Joselow
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25