SOMALIA: First UNHCR airlift into Mogadishu - originally posted 9.8.2011

The UN refugee agency has flown aid to famine victims in Somalia's capital - its first airlift to war-torn Mogadishu for five years.

Some 100,000 people have arrived in the city in the last two months in search of food.

Insecurity makes it difficult for aid agencies to distribute materials.

The Islamist al-Shabab group was reported to have pulled out of the city on Saturday but its fighters can still be seen patrolling some areas. 

While the government has been celebrating what it called its "victory" over al-Shabab, BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says few people expect Mogadishu to be peaceful.

For the aid agencies, the city remains an environment full of challenges, he says.

For full story see BBC News.

Originally posted 9.8.2011

Cholera & Abductions as the Crisis Continues - originally posted 16.11.2011

As the situation continues to deteriorate in the Horn of Africa, on 5 September we asked followers of 103DEC to suggest ways that 103DEC & 103 The Eye FM might do more to assist the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) & their East Africa Crisis Appeal.

As we stated then, the number of days & the effectiveness of special radio broadcasts are limited, so we require other, different, ideas on which to base future promotional activity. 

The good news is that having received many quality responses, 103DEC is considering your suggestions and we will report our findings & any future action very soon.

Many thanks indeed to everyone who took the trouble to get in touch: 103DEC & 103 The Eye FM can continue to assist the DEC only with the support & encouragement of our radio listeners. 

Originally posted 16.11.2011