To date the Irish Red Cross has contributed nearly \x80200,000 in support of the International Committee of the Red Cross\x92 (ICRC) emergency food and shelter activities.

Mr. David Andrews, Chairman of the Irish Red Cross said that more than 2 million people need food aid immediately and has called on Irish people to help with donations as soon as possible. A further 20,000 people a month have been uprooted in 2008.

"This crisis is the worst we have seen in recent times and unless we get food, water, shelter and medicines to these people, hundreds of thousands will suffer and possibly die in the coming months. Our research shows that more than 1 million people are displaced, representing the majority of Mogadishu\x92s population," he said.

It is estimated that 60% of Mogadishu's population - some 600,000 people - fled fighting during 2007. A 15km stretch between the capital and the town of Afgooye - where 250,000 people are camped along the side of the road - is the largest concentration of displaced people in the world. Conditions in this vast camp are appalling. Somalia is now considered the worst place in the world for children with one in seven Somali children severely malnourished.

The Red Cross is working with local communities and other agencies to get food to 2.1 million Somalis during 2008. Our efforts in responding to the upheaval of conflict are being hampered by droughts in the country. Food delivery is also hindered by pirate attacks on sea deliveries, roadblocks, and armed attacks on aid convoys. Despite these challenges aid is getting through albeit painfully slow and difficult at times.

Please give what you can by credit card to www.redcross.ie or by calling 1850 50 70 70. Cheque and postal orders made payable to Irish Red Cross Somalia Appeal, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.