Cholera epidemic

A cholera epidemic currently sweeping southern Somalia has killed hundreds of people, health officials say. According to Reuters, some 50 people have died in Dinsor and Qansahdhere in the Bay region in the last few days, and nearly 400 deaths have been recorded over the last two weeks. Lack of institutions and communications in Somalia means the death rate is likely to be higher than official estimates. Local officials and spokesmen warn that prolonged drought and hunger have made people vulnerable to the epidemic. International news agencies are quoting local authorities who say an average of five people a day in Gedo are dying from a combination of disease and drought. WFP has appealed for aid to feed 600,000 Somalis affected by drought, particularly in north and northwest Bakool and Gedo. On Sunday a convoy of about 50 trucks carrying food donated by WFP and Care International reached Baidoa from Mogadishu, becoming the first successful delivery on that route for nine months. The convoy carried 580 mt of maize, sorghum, beans and porridge for Bay and Bakool regions, and was escorted by heavily-armed militiamen. Insecurity increased in the region when the controlling militia, the Rahanweyn Resistence Army, was accused by Mogadishu-based leader Hussein Aideed of receiving arms from Ethiopia.