of Somalia and Sarajevo, is hoping the flow of contributions will continue despite overseas reports of relief supplies being destroyed or stolen.

The organisation is expecting that donations made to their bank accounts and collected at offices and schools will top last year's $60,000 total.

"Even though times are rough, Bermudians are known for their generosity,'' said Child Aid spokesperson Mr. Gene Steede.

Committee member Ms Connie Benjamin explained the money would be sent to the United Nations agency UNICEF to purchase supplies for the devastated areas.

In a telephone interview with The Royal Gazette this week, Mr. Peter McDermott of UNICEF's emergency operations gave an assessment of his organisation's relief efforts in Somalia.

Mr. McDermott is currently in the famine and war-ravaged nation on a fact-finding mission.

While admitting relief workers were regularly fired upon by roving bands of gunmen and many supplies intended for starving civilians were stolen, the emergency services officer said the food that does get through "makes a massive difference'' in survival rates.

Mr. McDermott said "adult foods'' like flour and rice were most often snatched by the armed gangs. A special high-protein children's formula that he admitted "doesn't taste very good'' was almost always left behind.

According to Mr. McDermott, the northern two-thirds of Somalia was relatively stable given the country's overall condition, and relief supplies were becoming regular.

"Things are going remarkably well there,'' he said.

The southern and central regions are facing the most critical nutritional emergency, and UNICEF is currently focusing its efforts on expanding programmes in these areas.

Describing conditions in the south as "truly horrific'', Mr. McDermott said he hoped people would continue to donate funds despite well-publicised reports of the country's state of anarchy and stolen food shipments.

"Despite all of that, supplies do get through,'' he said. "And they are desperately needed.'' In addition to food shipments, UNICEF is also providing health care, well-digging and water sanitation services, and farming supplies.

Mr. McDermott expressed hope that the military escorts expected from the United Nations and the United States would bring some stability to the region.

Lack of security and basic law and order were the biggest stumbling blocks for the programmes, he said.

Child Aid's Ms Benjamin added: "We now feel better since the UN will be sending troops to Somalia.'' Organisers of the local campaign will be staging a minute of silence at 1 p.m.

next Wednesday on the steps of Hamilton City Hall. Church bells will ring, and motorists are asked to turn on their headlights to show their support for the children of war.