At least four people lost their lives, and 42,000 others were displaced due to recent armed clashes between local clans in the town of Luuq in southern Somalia, the United Nations relief agency reported on Sunday.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the three-day fighting, which began on July 5 in the Gedo region, was triggered by a land ownership dispute.
Caught up in the crossfire, the displaced people were not only targeted in some cases due to their clan affiliation but also faced secondary displacement out of fear of being directly affected, according to the OCHA’s latest update released in Mogadishu.
Although some calmness has been observed since July 8 as the armed clashes ceased, tensions remain high, the OCHA reported.
Access to the displaced populations in certain areas is restricted due to potential attacks from non-state armed actors, including militiamen from the conflicting parties, the agency noted.
Ongoing humanitarian services, including health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, were paralyzed by the conflict, according to the UN agency.
Years of inter-clan violence, fueled by conflicts over land and revenge killings, have instilled widespread fear among the populace, with minimal efforts visible to mitigate the violence, resulting in numerous fatalities, residents reported.
The significant economic impact of the burnt-down market will be severe, as many people have lost their livelihoods and may face food insecurity, the OCHA warned.
Facing critical conditions, the displaced communities, especially women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities, urgently need humanitarian assistance, including temporary shelters, health services, clean water, and food provisions, the OCHA said.
