The head of United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees, Antonio Guterres visited the Somali capital, Mogadishu, during Eid on Wednesday, to assess the current status of famine in the country. Guterres expressed his annual solidarity to a community during an important time that relates to their religious beliefs. This year, he picked Somalia and scheduled a visit that coincided with the end of the holy month of Ramadan - Eid. While this is a celebratory occasion for Muslims, Somalis have been suffering from the severe drought and starvation. "The international communities need to get together. All actors -- UN, Red Cross, Red Crescent, NGOS, Islamic organizations, need to work in a combined way, in a coordinated way, to be able to address the needs of these people that are suffering so much," said Guterres. According to Guterres, there are currently 850,000 refugees outside Somalia, and 1.4 million displaced inside Somalia, which he says is more difficult to support. "The Eid is a good moment to make this appeal, after Ramadan, to all parties to the conflict, to respect the humanitarian law, and to let humanitarian aid reach the totality of the territory of Somalia," he said. Relief aid agencies are finding it difficult to reach certain areas with millions of people who require aid. Many areas are under the control of Al Shabaab rebels, an al Qaeda-affiliated group. By Al Arabiya
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