NAIROBI, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations aid agencies operating in Somalia Friday decried the worsening humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa nation, saying attempts to reach millions of people in need have been thwarted by the ongoing attacks.

    In a statement issued in Nairobi, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other UN agencies said although they were "eager to assist children and their families affected and displaced by ongoing conflict in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, they are finding their efforts hindered by the insecurity in the strife-hit city."

    "We are extremely anxious to reach the displaced population especially since most of them are women and children under the age of 14. These are the most vulnerable people in any community," Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Somalia Representative said.

    The situation in Mogadishu has been critical since December last year and over 200,000 people are believed to be on the move to escape the conflict, hospitals are overflowing with casualties and health centers are dealing with an increasing number of cases of acute water diarrhoea.

    The security situation in Somalia has worsened over the last four months since Ethiopian soldiers helped the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to regain much control over the country, which had been in the hands of a group of the Union of Islamic Courts.

    "We have heard the appeal of Somali civil society to the humanitarian community for more help and we continue to respond, as far as we are able, with supplies and technical support. But our access is limited," Balsley-Olesen said.

    The UN agencies have also reiterated calls to all parties involved in the conflict to do everything within their power to allow the UN aid workers to reach those who need assistance the most.

    "UNICEF warehouses in the capital containing relief supplies cannot be reached due to conflict in the area and the use of Mogadishu airport to bring in further supplies carries its own security risks," said Balslev-Olesen.

    UNICEF said it was assisting displaced families with the provision of "Family Relief Kits" comprising three blankets jerry cans, plastic sheets, cooking fat and bars soaps to at least 7,300households (approximately 47,000 people).

    Each household also receives two long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets, provided as part of the Global Fund Malaria program for Somalia.

    UNICEF is also expressing concern about its ability to evaluate the extent of child rights violations in Southern Somalia.

    However, reports from child protection monitors in Mogadishucite cases of children, ranging in age from seven months to 18years, as victims of indiscriminate shooting and shelling: many of them seriously injured or killed.

    UNICEF is mobilizing and supporting partner organizations to identify and reunite with their families, hundreds of children separated following the exodus from the capital.