Somalia still waiting for aid

Somalia appealed for international aid for victims of the deadly tsunami that slammed its shores, with an official saying today that at least 50,000 people urgently need food, water, shelter and medical help after losing their homes and livelihoods.

Presidential spokesman Yusuf Mohamed Ismail said 24 countries – including the US, Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia – have pledged to send relief, but nothing has arrived more than a week after the killer waves hit the east coast of Africa.

“We are very happy that relief supplies have arrived in Asia, which was hit the hardest by the tragedy, but Somalia – which has been ravaged from a 13-year civil war, drought and political neglect – also needs emergency help to deal with the latest calamity,” Yusuf said.

At least 200 people were killed and many others remain missing after the waves hammered the Somali coast, he said.