NAIROBI, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Thursday appealed to Somali leaders and militia to provide access and protection for aid agencies to enable them to respond to a worsening drought crisis in the Horn of Africa nation.

    WFP's plea comes two days after an exchange of fire by two local militia left a local person dead and several wounded on Tuesday when its contracted trucks with food aid were being unloaded at a food distribution point in southern Somalia.

    In a statement issued here, WFP condemned acts of violence and called on the local communities in southern Somalia to act decisively against the culprits.

    "Targeting humanitarian assistance is totally unacceptable. It is callous and violates all international humanitarian principles," said Zlatan Milisic, WFP Somalia Country Director in the statement.

    The agency also expressed its sincere condolences to the familyof an innocent bystander killed in this incident and hopes for thespeedy recovery of the injured, saying it was unable to resume food distribution after the attack due to continuing tension in the area.

    Some 1.4 million people in southern Somalia need emergency foodaid and other humanitarian assistance because of ravaging drought which has also left livestock dead.

    The UN agency decried that the massive effort needed to save their lives is being seriously jeopardized by threats and attacks against aid convoys and workers as well as acts of piracy at sea.

    "Humanitarian agencies cannot operate where assistance is beingtargeted. We are already seriously challenged by the logistics of this mission and shouldn't have to watch our backs as well. We rely on Somali leaders to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers and cargo," Milisic said.

    WFP stressed that insecurity delayed the humanitarian response and caused unnecessary suffering at this difficult time for those in need, particularly the most vulnerable -- women and children.

    Milisic appealed to all those with power and influence in Somalia to combine their resources and help their people survive. Enditem