Somali elders criticise UN flood relief operation

Community leaders in the flood-affected areas of southern Somalia have complained that the response from international aid agencies has been inadequate.

The elders, speaking by radio telephone from Buale in Middle Juba region, said the warlords -- in power since the collapse of central government in 1991 -- were diverting what aid there was to help their own clans.

The United Nations agencies who make up the flood response team in Somalia said they had tried their best to help everyone, and denied favouring any particular clan.

The team estimates that two thousand people have died in the flooding since November.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service