Nairobi, Kenya/Los Angeles, CA, November 1, 2007 - Under difficult and dangerous circumstances, International Medical Corps (IMC) is providing health care to thousands of displaced Somalis in and around the city of Afgoye, about 20 miles (30 km) west of the capital city, Mogadishu. Since October, IMC has been operating three mobile clinics for people who have little or no access to services like clean water, sufficient food, adequate shelter, and basic health care.

Afgoye has become one of the main destinations for people fleeing Mogadishu. The city is already struggling to cope with

SANAA, 1 November 2007 (IRIN) - Zamzam Ibrahim Hassan, 26, a Somali refugee, was deported by Saudi authorities 16 months ago when she tried to enter Saudi Arabia from Yemen. She then re-entered Yemen by boat from Somalia nine months ago.

"I worked as a maid in one of the houses in the province of al-Baidha [in southeast Yemen] for three months and saved 30,000 riyals [US$150]. I heard some of my friends talking about going to Saudi Arabia. We decided to go and I paid all my money to the smugglers who were Yemenis. When we reached the border, they left us when

By Joe De Capua

In Somalia, the statistics tell the tale of the humanitarian crisis. The United Nations says one and a half million people need humanitarian assistance and protection, 800-thousand people have been displaced and 34-hundred civilians have been wounded since January.

The situation has prompted the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia to write an open letter to the warring parties and international community. From Nairobi, Christian Balslev-Olesen spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about the reasons for the letter.

Funds Sent To: Norwegian Church Aid Somalia

Amount Sent : US$ 50,000

Date: 1 November 2007

Details of Payment

Emergency: Assistance to IDPs in Puntland, Somalia

Date of Emergency: 1 November 2007

Implementing partners: Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

Details of the Emergency:

Increased tension between the self-declared republic of Somaliland and the neighbouring self-declared autonomous region of Puntland has led to the displacement of thousands of people from the area. The dispute was at its peak on 17 October 2007 when forces loyal

Situation analysis

Heavy rains causing severe flooding in Burhakaba town have announced the beginning of the Deyr rainy season in Central South Somalia. As of 31 October 2007 Burhakaba town (about 64 KM from Baidoa) reported serious floods affecting Wadajir, Howlwadaaga, and Waberi sections.

An emergency meeting was conducted between humanitarian agencies chaired by the Governor of Bay region to coordinate all ongoing response activities, starting with a rapid assessment of the damage and needs. The joint assessment visit between the Ministry of Health,

Note: Map production date estimated

Note: Map production date estimated