It is part of a larger global action by the EU in the Horn of Africa to deal with the Somali crisis.

Alumni include Dan Eldon, a photographer killed in the Somali crisis 1993.

Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has called for a radical new approach to the Somali crisis and has argued that the Security Council must be prepared to make more aggressive use of military force in getting aid to starving people.

One difficulty in taking a regional approach to the Somali crisis is that none of the country's neighbors are strong enough to play a dominant role in trying to impose peace.

As many as 200 people a day have been dying here of hunger and illness over the last three weeks, bringing the Somali crisis to a new level of misery.

For many following the Somali crisis, this plan does not go far or fast enough.

Before the marines landed, commanders distributed magazine articles and other information about the Somali crisis, including a list of dos and don'ts reflecting customs and traditions here.

Thanks to British Government to try to help somali people in a time the whole world is fed up of Somali crises.

In this regard, I feel that the peace initiative described by Commissioner Diamantopoulou is a way out of at least the worst phase of the Somali crisis.

Appropos, perhaps of his "tarbaby" reference in the Somali crisis, he has also stirred accusations of racial insensitivity.