Somalia

Residents flee from clashes between Ethiopian troops and Islamist-led rebels in Mogadishu, October 29, 2007 [REUTERS/Feisal Omar (SOMALIA), courtesy www.alertnet.org]

Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991, when the former President was overthrown by opposing clans. What followed has been over a decade and a half of bitter warfare

After several failed attempts by the international community to hold peace talks to unite the country, the Transitional Federal Government finally emerged in 2004, containing many former clan warlords.

But the transitional government never succeeded in uniting and ruling the whole nation. Its most serious challenge came in 2006 when a new power force emerged, the Union of Islamic Courts.

Described as the "Somali Taliban", it used force to take control of the capital city Mogadishu and much of the south of the country. But, after only six months, the transitional government, backed by Ethiopian forces, regained Mogadishu.

Though the aim was to rid the country of the Union of Islamic Courts and bring stability and unity, instead the move has sparked an insurgency bringing bloodshed and misery.

Key challenges

Emergency relief: The humanitarian situation has been getting increasingly desperate. Many refugees, having left everything behind when fleeing, have no possessions and are relying on goodwill to survive.

Local communities, who have been receiving huge numbers of those fleeing from their homes, are overwhelmed and increasingly unable to meet their own basic needs, without also helping to shoulder the needs of those arriving.

Security: Many aid agencies are being forced to scale back, or freeze, deliveries, a distressing situation where the very magnitude of the security crisis is preventing those being affected from being helped.

Read about the work of CAFOD's partners below:

section highlights

Working not for glory

Bishop Giorgio Bertin, president of Caritas Somalia, likens the huge battles facing the Catholic Church to the humility of the servant attending Jesus on the cross

In need of spiritual help

Shihab Babiker describes how Islamic Relief works in partnership with CAFOD to provide vital necessities to refugees, but also explains why rebuilding shattered trust is so important

latest updates elsewhere on www.cafod.org.uk

Working not for glory Bishop Giorgio Bertin, president of Caritas Somalia, likens the huge battles facing the Catholic Church to the humility of the servant attending Jesus on the cross

Worst humanitarian crisis in Africa As violence escalates in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, CAFOD is providing desperately needed assistance to those forced from their homes by the fighting

Why focus on Africa now? Across the continent almost 30 million people are going hungry – many are dying as a result. All can be tackled with the right kind of action

In need of spiritual help Shihab Babiker describes how Islamic Relief works in partnership with CAFOD to provide vital necessities to refugees, but also explains why rebuilding shattered trust is so important

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