(Thumbnail Image: Somali Vision)

In Somalia nearly four million people - half of the country's population - need food aid. A United Nations report leaked to the New York Times is raising upsetting allegations. The U.N.'s Monitoring Group on Somalia reports up to half of the food aid in Somalia is being diverted to a web of corrupt contractors, distributors and armed groups. (Video: Worldfocus)

To some the report is not shocking. Somalia is plagued by violent unrest. The Guardian reports this is why the U.N. struggles to monitor its relief efforts.

"Not only are kidnappings and executions common, the country's insecurity also makes it difficult for senior U.N. officials to travel to the country to check on procedures. Investigators who do go there run the risk of relying for protection on the same people they are examining."

The report mainly criticizes the U.N. sponsored World Food Program, which is responsible for organizing the contracts and distribution of aid. But Voice of America says the problem goes beyond the WFP.

"The report... underscores the problems aid agencies face in trying to provide assistance in the failed Horn of African state."  

The report claims Somalian government, local warlords and even some U.N. officials are making profit off of food aid. The Monitoring Group suggests the U.N. Security Council immediately investigate the claims, but Fox News points out an independent review may present a challenge.

"That could be difficult because the U.N.'s ability to conduct investigations was badly damaged last year when it closed its special anti-corruption unit. An Associated Press analysis found there was not a single significant fraud or corruption case completed in 2008 compared with an earlier average of 150 cases a year investigated by the task force."

WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran defends the efforts of the WFP in a press release.

"...vulnerabilities are always present in conflict areas, and many of the issues raised have already been addressed, while other points identified by the U.N. Monitoring Group conflicted with operational facts and information. WFP is requesting the opportunity to correct factual issues and inform the group on actions WFP has already taken." (Garowe Online)

The U.N. Security Council will officially review the report on March 16.

Writer: Amanda Klohmann

Producer: Nathan Giannini