The humanitarian crisis in South and Central Somalia is amongst the worst in the world, according to the UN. The hospitals in Mogadishu are over-crowded with people who have been wounded in the fighting, and just outside the city, tens of thousand have settled along the roads. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is now providing shelter to some of the displaced.

NRC is one of few humanitarian organisations still operating in South and Central Somalia. Over the past weeks, the organisation has launched a shelter project to assist people who have fled fighting.

"The situation is simply dire. People lack everything, including food, sanitation, shelter, education and health facilities. They are living in makeshift shelters made by things they have scrambled together; sticks, cloths, cardboards and strings. These are very weak structures that need constant repair and that are not providing enough privacy to the families, says NRC Head of Office Hassan Khaire.

To improve this situation, NRC started distributing improved temporary shelters to beneficiaries in Mogadishu in February 2008. The structure is made of metal sticks that can be re-used if the families need to move, and the walling is made of fire retardant canvas. NRC is the first organization in 17 years to address the issues of congestion in IDP settlements inside Mogadishu and distributing improved shelters.

In total, more than 850,000 people are displaced in South and Central Somalia. Only in the past few months, more than 50,000 people have fled Mogadishu, which now resembles a ghost town. At the same time, the capital's hospitals is over-crowded, and almost 600 people have been admitted with injuries caused by the fighting.

"In addition to assisting IDPs in and around Mogadishu, NRC assists three hospitals in Mogadishu with tents so that patients can be spared from lying out-doors" says Khaire. In the course of 2008, more than 370,000 IDPs in Somalia will benefit from assistance through the Norwegian Refugee Council.

However, the security situation makes it extremely difficult for humanitarian organisations to operate in the South and Central Regions. Most other organisations have pulled out or scaled back their operations. Those left behind are hampered by threats, mines, and control post, which are becoming increasingly difficult to pass. Six aid workers have been killed so far this year. According to the UN, Somalia is now the world's most difficult country for aid organisations. The Government is unable to ensure access and stability for the organizations to operate.

"All parties are obliged to assure humanitarian access. That is not the case in Somalia today" says NRC Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson, who recently visited Mogadishu. Rasmusson underlines that the international community must do more to assist Somalia.

"Despite this being one of the world's worst humanitarian crisis, it is largely ignored. The international community, the UN and humanitarian organisations must act now, and mobilize the necessary resources and support Somalia. Security is difficult, but the UN must place people on the ground now" says Rasmusson.