By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Beled-hawo(Dawan Africa) – The Jubbaland administration has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to the international community after ongoing clashes in Beled-hawo triggered the displacement of over 35,000 people.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of Jubbaland today, authorities said that 7,149 households—equivalent to 35,745 individuals—have fled to nearby villages, lacking access to clean water, food, and basic healthcare.
“Many families are facing severe food shortages, lack of clean water, and no access to medical services,” the statement said.
Jubbaland called on aid organizations to immediately respond to six critical humanitarian needs: clean water, mobile health services, emergency food assistance, temporary shelter, sanitation and latrines, and protection services.
The fighting in Beled-Hawo began on 22 July between forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubbaland regional administration. Jubbaland officials directly accused the Federal Government of launching an assault on the town and deploying troops to confront Jubbaland’s forces.
The Federal Government has previously claimed that the clashes were sparked by provocations from the Jubbaland side.
Jubbaland stated that the displacement crisis has significantly increased humanitarian needs in the region.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on 29 July that the violence between 23 and 26 July affected more than 38,000 people in Beled-Xaawo. This includes 28,000 internally displaced within Jubbaland and 10,200 who crossed into neighboring Kenya.
OCHA also noted that humanitarian agencies are facing severe access challenges due to insecurity and widespread funding shortages.
Jubbaland officials confirmed to Dawan Africa that the fighting was ongoing as of today, and that the situation in Beled-hawo remains highly volatile.
