Somalia's 6,000 cyclone victims in receive food aid

AllAfrica.com via Sabahi: At least 6,000 people affected by the tropical cyclone in Somalia's Puntland region have received one-month food rations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Sunday (November 17th).

"A lot of people in these areas are in dire need," said Patrick Vial, the head of the ICRC delegation to Somalia. "Reports reaching our staff in the field speak of dozens of dead and the loss of significant numbers of livestock."

The cyclone has left as many as 300 people dead. The rains have also flooded parts of Middle Shabelle, especially Jowhar, and Somaliland.

The ICRC estimates that 10,000 people have been forced from their homes due to the harsh weather conditions, which have contaminated many drinking water wells and destroyed the possibility of a harvest for many farmers. Aid for about 26,000 people has been sent to the area and will be distributed in coming days. "The long-term effect of this cyclone is also likely to be severe," Vial said...