United Nations Radio

The United Nations Children's Fund on Monday expressed concern about the disruption of relief assistance to women and children in Central Somalia.

nurse innoculating child

UNICEF says militiamen have taken over its compound since the town of Jowhar fell under the control of Al Shabaab militias battling the Somali government in May.

The agency says subsequent looting and destruction of life-saving humanitarian supplies and equipment have affected its ability to deliver assistance to the most vulnerable children and women.

Hannan Sulieman, Acting UNICEF representative to Somalia says the compound had all the warehouses with nutritional feeding products, water and sanitation supplies, medicines and drugs and educational materials.

"And it also had what we call a cold chain facility. A cold chain facility is like a cold room where we keep all vaccines for children and for women. And that cold chain services nearly all Central and Southern Somalia. So basically it means that if we don't get this cold chain operating again, our vaccination programme's at a serious risk of being halted completely."

Ms. Hannan says UNICEF is continuing to work and has opened supply hubs in other locations in Southern Somalia.

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio.

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