Nairobi, Kenya - Today World Vision, along with more than 40 international and national humanitarian agencies working in Somalia, is highlighting the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in South Central Somalia and calling on those with a responsibility to protect civilians to act now to save lives.

Constrained access and deteriorating security is leaving international and national NGOs with little humanitarian space in which to operate in Somalia. All indicators point to a deterioration of the already dire humanitarian situation.

"We cannot stand by while thousands of children and their families suffer through one of the worst humanitarian crises in our world today," said Chris Smoot, program director for World Vision Somalia. "World Vision is calling on the international community to intervene for the sake of thousands of families before it is too late"

The following Statement of Concern was issued today by more than 40 organizations working in Somalia:

"There is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in South Central Somalia. Tens of thousands of people are currently fleeing violence in Mogadishu adding to the up to 335,000 people already needing immediate lifesaving assistance in Mogadishu and the Shabelle regions.

International and National NGOs cannot respond effectively to the crisis because access and security are deteriorating dramatically at a time when needs are increasing.

The international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians, to allow the delivery of aid and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers."

World Vision has served in Somalia since 1992, conducting extensive relief programming across sectors such as food aid, livelihood recovery, water and sanitation, health, education and advocacy.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, we serve all people regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview with staff in Somalia, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext 2151 (office),   416-677-0086 (cell)
Yoko_Kobayashi@WorldVision.ca

Note to Editors
The above statement has been signed by the following agencies:

Advancement for Small Enterprise Programmes (ASEP)
Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA)
Africa Rescue Committee (AFREC)
Agency for Technical Cooperation & Development (ACTED)
CAFOD
CARE
Caritas Somalia
Centre for Peace and Democracy (CPD)
Concern Worldwide
Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)
Coordinating Committee of the Organisation for Voluntary Service (COSV)
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Diahonia Emergency Aid
Diahonia Sweden
Family Economic Recovery Organisation (FERO)
Gedo Health Consortium (GHC)
HARDO Relief and Development Organisation
Horn Relief
International Aid Services (IAS)
International Committee for the Development of People (CISP)
International Medical Corps (IMC)
Interpeace
Islamic Relief
MDM France
Mercy Corps
Merlin
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Oxfam GB
Oxfam Novib
SAACID Australia
Saferworld
Save the Children UK
Solidarite
SOS Children's Villages
Swedish Alliance Welfare Association (SAWA)
Trocaire
VETAID
Veterinaries Sans Frontieres Suisse (VSF Suisse)
Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action (DWWHH/GAA)
World Vision International