The United Nations say up to 90,000 civilians were displaced in the Somali capital in three days of fighting, as aid groups warned that catastrophe was unfolding in the shattered nation.

The U.N. refugee agency says it has begun distributing much-needed relief supplies for some 24,000 people in the Somali town of Afgooye, 30 kilometers west of the capital Mogadishu. The UNHCR reports families are still fleeing Mogadishu every day due to an increase in violence.

The U.N. refugee agency reports between February and May, more than 400,000 civilians fled the Somali capital Mogadishu. This was sparked by heavy fighting between the Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government and insurgents. The UNHCR says another 27,000 people have fled renewed violence since June.

People displaced by the recent fighting in Somalia - the worst in 16 years - are gradually returning to parts of the capital, Mogadishu, but fear is preventing others from going back to areas where the military still has a strong presence, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

Over 320,000 people have now fled Mogadishu since the beginning of February to escape the ongoing fighting. And it's been very difficult for humanitarian agencies to reach all those in need.

The UN refugee agency says it hopes to begin distributing 28 tons of relief supplies over the weekend to thousands of Somalis displaced by the fighting in the capital, Mogadishu. Most of those in need have fled the city.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - or OCHA - says it's extremely alarmed about deteriorating conditions for civilians in Mogadishu.

Tens of thousands of people have fled Mogadishu in the past two months, as fighting in the Somali capital continues. Catherine Weibel is a spokesperson for the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR. From Nairobi, she spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about the displacement of Somalis.