Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Armed militias in the Somali capital, Mogadishu attacked a camp for theInternally Displaced people (IDP) on Saturday.

This happened at a time when food aid supplies was being distributed at the camp.

The militia took the IDPs and food aid distributers by surprise. They opened fire on everyone, as refugees queued to be given food aid whichthey waited for at least 4 months.

The Iranian red crescent donated this particular aid tothe Somali victims of drought.

A BBC reporter at the scene, described the situation as very chaotic. He recorded the atmosphere, which showed sheer panic.

Listening to the recording which was full of hissing sound of bullets and people screaming, as they run for thier life,; gave the impression that the food was there for the taking of the militias with no protection from the government security forces or the African Union troops.

The IDPs say that there are ‘gate keepers’ in the city, who always claim that the drought victims are properlyfed, when actually the IDPS say they have notreceived any aid for the4 months, they were there.

African Union troops at Mogadishu football Stadium

Witnesses saw government troops and police in identifiable government vehicles passing by the area andnot making any attempt to come to the aid of the drought victims.African Union troops stationed at a nearby centre were also accused ofnot acting in protection of the refugees, except that they hurried in order to protect themselves from the bullets.

This incident highlights the risk that awaits millions of dollars of aid donated by the international community including almost 200 million donated by UK public and government.

There were similar allegations before in which some of them were even involved by Somali government troops.

The government said it will investigate in that incident.

However, questions are asked about the government’s ability to make sure aid supplies reach those who need it most.

The government admitted before there was lack of coordination in aid coming to the country in response to the UN announced famine in parts of Somalia.

Recently, Prince William and Princess Kate launched an appeal for donating aid for Somali children after UNICEF said that more than three hundred fifty thousands children are at risk of dying due to malnutrition.

1992 food aid. Photo by AP

The poor drought victims of Somalia wonder who would come to their aid if what the world donated is robbed from them with no protection.

Somalia did not have a functioning central government for the last twenty one years.

In 1992 a US led peacekeeping operation was launched mainly to deliver food aid to remote areas in Somalia. The operation was later named as UNISOM, but it ended without after several years. The foreign troops left the country without a real peace.