This is Baidoa - stronghold of the Islamist Al shabaab group, whose flag flies over most of drought-hit southern Somalia. Al shabab say they are the legitimate authority of Somalia but America and Britain accuse Al Shabab of being a terrorist organistaion.

Caught in the middle these Somalis fleeing the worst drought in 60 years -

The old Presidential Palace has become a refugee camp thats swelling by the day.

Im the first journalist to be allowed full access to these communities living under the control of alshabab, since the famine was declared.

Id heard stories of widespread desperation and hunger, especially amongst the children. But nothing prepared me for the shocking scenes once I entered the main hospital.

UPSOT

When khadija arrived here a week ago, she was in a terrible condition. Shes gaining weight. But her mother Muhubo is worried she may still lose her.

The UN says nearly 4 million Somalis are in danger of starvation. The majority of them, children.

Mohamed Janayo is in grave danger. His tiny body shows signs of acute malnutrition and dehydration.

His big brother Mohamud is there to comfort him. But years of not enough food has left him too, looking much younger than he is. Mohamud is 16. My parents are out in the camp looking for food with my 4 other brothers and sisters, he tells me.

Its the same story next door; Hamdi tells me shes been left to look after her sister Safiya

SOT: Doctor: Abdalla Bulle, Director, Bay Hospital.

Although weve saved many lives, 4, 5, or 6 children die and are buried every day. Some die of diarahoa, others lack of food.

The hospital had 6 rooms - full of mothers desperately trying to keep their children alive.

With some help from the outside world, these doctors are able to save lives. But here in southern Somalia, natural disaster has been turned into famine by arguments over access.

Many international aid agencies including the world food program have pulled out of alshabab areas accusing the group of extortion and intimidation.

This is one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers to operate.

PTC: this is the wfp compound in merka. It was the second largest base in southern Somalia. By this time of the year it would have been very very busy. But its completely empty because they were kicked out of this area by alshabab.

Now the international donors are unwilling to rush money back into the area fearing it will end up in the hands of militants linked to alqaeda.

In his first television interview with the western media, I asked the al shabab spokesman if his group was deliberately obstructing the aid effort.

SOT: Shiek Ali Dhere, alshabab spokesman

There is a drought but it has not reached a famine. The famine has been averted due to support and aid from business and Somali communities.

He dismissed reports that alshabab have demanded taxes from aid agencies as just propaganda.

SOT: Sh Ali Dhere, alshabab spokesman

We have only refused those who were doing more harm than good, and those agencies with political agendas. We have allowed access to all other charities.

And as the authority, it IS alshabab which decides whos allowed in. the group monitors throughout every process of the aid relief operation.

Islamic Relief is one of the international agencies whove been able to bring supplies into the worst-affected zone.

With their own staff on the ground, they say they are confident none of their supplies are being diverted or taxed.

I joined them on their first day as they distributed rations to 5,000 families in Baidoa.

SOT: Hassan Ismael, Islamic Relief

there is no fear that aid agency fund going to access AS.. we really need sometimes to put politcs aside and we are in a humanitarian situation. We need to hold our horses back. when I come to baidoa and I see people really in need of aid and I cant access funds or support because someone is fearing ..AS its not humanistic and not noble.

I wanted to travel to the second famine-hit region in southern Somalia to see if the situation was any better.

K50 camp run by alshabab is packed with refugees displaced by the drought in lower shabelle.

As in most of Somalia Alshabab are the local authority and all aid agencies must cooperate with them in order to operate.

However aid organistaions are adamant they themselves maintain control of the distribution.

So some international aid IS now crossing the frontline to the famine zone - but there still cant be a mass UN presence on the ground.

New arrivals camp amongst the plastic pallets while they wait to be registered and provided with tents.

PTC: Amina and Hawa arrived yesterday from toratoree, which is about 6 miles from here. They said they have lost everything and they had to leave their homes.

A makeshift clinic is run by two volunteer doctors and their medical students. They say they are seeing an alarming rise in cholera like cases.

Irgigo Kusow is in emergency treatment on the floor. Months of poor nutrition have left her body weak against disease.

SOT doctor: the medical students.. really trying …

In an attempt to avoid the spread of disease and overcrowding in the camp, Alshabab organisers are trying to encourage refugees to go back home.

They will give anyone returning - extra rations and a lift to their village.

Some refugees whove fled alshabab areas have accused the group of controlling their movements.

The families here told me they volunteered to return home as they thought conditions would be better there.

The alshabab man in charge of the refugee program in Lower Shebelle region said hes pleased over a thousand families have taken up the offer.

SOT: hussen Haji Awgaab, alshabab, head of refugee program

If the people become accustomed to, and wait for handouts, they will become idle and not want to work. We encourage the people to become self confident and productive.

In southern Somalia, where so many are barely surviving, the aid IS trickling in.

But its only trickling in with the cooperation of alshabab. Aid organisations recognise its impossible for them to operate without the groups help..

Since the famine was declared the Islamists have repeatedly been accused of hampering the relief effort.

But, during the short period, I was there; I did not see any malpractice or corruption.

In fact, many of the aid workers told me, they actually appreciated alshababas assistance.

To put a stop to the disaster, these people need a wholescale rescue effort. While the argument over access goes on, their long wait will continue.