The United Nations’ main food aid agency has suspended assistance in southern Somalia over what it calls unfair demands by the militant al-Shabab group. On Tuesday, World Food Programme spokesperson Peter Smerdon said al-Shabab’s demands had brought relief operations to a halt.

Peter Smerdon: “We are very concerned about the people of Somalia who need assistance, but we simply couldn’t continue after a spate of escalating demands, harassment and problems with armed groups in the south. So we have temporarily closed about five offices. We’ve pulled the staff out. We’ve pulled out virtually all the equipment. And we need security to return. If we are assured of security and we see evidence that there is security for us to operate, we will go back as soon as possible, because obviously people are going to go hungry.”

Up to a million southern Somalia residents face starvation as a result of the food aid suspension.