Massive displacement in Galgadud

Inter-clan fighting in Somalia's central Galgadud region has left over 2,000 families displaced and the numbers are growing, local sources told IRIN on Monday.

Dr Ahmed Madhi, who works at the hospital in the regional capital Dusa-marreb, said the health situation was critical and facilities were overwhelmed by casualties of the fighting.

"The hospital [in Dusa-marreb] does not have the equipment, drugs and the expertise to treat the number and type of wounds we are receiving," he said. "We have no surgeon and not enough drugs for patients."

He appealed to aid agencies to come to the assistance of the victims "and to save lives".

A statement issued by the UN on Monday said fighting between rival militia of the Marehan and Dir (Fiqi Muhumad sub-clan), had left an estimated 400-500 households displaced in Heraale, Abudwaaq district.

A further 1,100 households had fled fighting between the Murusade and Duduble clans in Elbur district, added the statement by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. It described the humanitarian situation as serious.

"I urge the conflicting parties to refrain from further fighting, resolve their differences peacefully and to ensure that the rights of civilians are fully respected,” said Calum McLean of UN-OCHA (Somalia). He added that humanitarian workers must be allowed "unrestricted and safe access" to the affected people.

The majority of the displaced are said to be women, young children and the elderly. The fighting has also led to the destruction of houses, berkads (water stores), and the looting or killing of livestock, the UN statement said.

Mediation efforts on the part of elders and religious leaders from neutral clans have so far failed to resolve the dispute, but are said to be continuing.