Somalia: UNHCR launches $48 million appeal for victims of renewed conflict

The UN refugee agency has launched an appeal for US$48 million to provide badly needed assistance for victims of the renewed conflict inside Somalia. UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told journalists the estimated number of Somalis who will receive assistance from UNHCR under the appeal – newly arrived Somali refugees in neighbouring countries and people displaced inside Somalia – will rise to 478,000 by end 2008 from 312,000 currently.