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[MOGADISHU, 25 April 2007] - More than 600 people have been killed, and 900 injured, during intensified fighting between Ethiopian forces, allied with TFG troops, and anti-government militias in the capital of Somalia since 21 March. More than half million people, half the population of Mogadishu, have fled from the capital to nearby areas, and children are suffering. Those unable to travel have sought refuge beneath trees between Mogadishu and Afgoye, 30 km South Mogadishu, as the rainy season gets underway. Somali Child Protection and Development (SOCPD) has sent a team to assess the situation of displaced people. They found people urgently needing protection and material assistance including shelters, food, water and medication. Some organisations including SOCPD, as well as Ugandan troops, are providing water and plastic sheets but the assistance is not enough for the thousands of displaced families. People are not getting information about exactly what is happening; protection concerns and children’s specific needs are not being addressed, says SOCPD. During the emergency, SOCPD’s team has noted child recruitment has doubled and that children are being separated from their families and being exposed to exploitation and abuse. The security of displaced people is of huge concern, and protection issues and rape cases are being reported near Mogadishu water wells, 17 Km south of Mogadishu, where more than 1000 families have now settled. Halimo Mohamed, mother to seven children, said: “Militias attacked at midnight over three nights and raped my sister, who is 17, and one of my neighbours. We are living under the tree and have no shelter and protection at all.†There have also been reports of child-headed household and unaccompanied children. All schools and some hospitals were closed and children living in turmoil are suffering from a lack of security. SOCPD says shelters, food, medication and psychosocial support are urgently required. Meanwhile, child friendly spaces where children can feel safe, and programmes to trace and reunify separated families are also needed. Further information