A recent United Nations inter-agency mission to Ethiopia's Somali Regional State observed that humanitarian conditions within the conflict areas have deteriorated substantially over the past several months. The mission took place between 30 August and 5 September and visited three of the five administrative zones in which military operations are currently underway. The mission assessed all aspects related to the provision of humanitarian assistance and made a preliminary assessment of the food situation, the effectiveness of food aid allocations, livelihoods and market conditions, the health and nutrition situation and human rights including protection of civilians.