Sherwin Bryce-Pease, New York

The United Nation's Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Somalia says continued fighting in the country exacerbates the problem of civilian displacement. This in turn hampers their efforts to reach people with food aid. Mark Bowden was briefing journalists at the UN in New York about a country where 3.2 million people or 40% of the population is dependent on food assistance.

In Somalia, as in other war-torn countries, civilians suffer the most. Bowden says, "There is both extensive shelling and mortar fire from all parties to the conflict, use of improvised explosive devices which are indiscriminate in their effects on the population and since March, more than 3000 conflict related casualties".

He points out that although flashpoints grab the headlines, some 60% of the country is relatively conflict free - but in need of a steady flow of aid. "My major concern at this time of the year is that there's a renewed emphasis on ensuring that we do address the funding gaps in Somalia to help us to sustain the achievement that can continue to be made in one of the worlds most difficult and acute humanitarian crises," says Bowden.

With reports of donor countries slowing their contributions to the country - the UN has only 334 million of the 596 million dollars it needs. Controlling aid entering the country has also become a bone of contention.

The UN continues to work under serious constraints in Somalia, which is also a breading ground for the radicals who claimed responsibility for recent attacks in Uganda. Mark Bowden says it's time the international community takes a long term view on Somalia in finding a stable political model that crucially provides security for those who live there.