Relief agency raises red flag as drought, hunger ravage Somalia

Écrit par Antoine Lawson | 19 Octobre 2017

Nairobi, Kenya, October 19 (Infosplusgabon) -  Over one million people in Somalia have been forced to abandon their homes this year seeking food and water, mainly due to drought.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said Thursday in a press statement that drought, more than conflict is forcing people out of their homes, in search of food and water.

"On average, a staggering 3,500 people per day have fled their homes this year searching for food and water to stay alive,” said NRC Regional Director Gabriella Waaijman. “We are witnessing a mass exodus from rural villages not seen since the deadly 2011-2012 famine that killed 260,000 people."

Dry rural communities across Somalia have nearly turned into ghost towns, as crops failed, livestock died and families fled in droves after they ran out of all food reserves.

Some 49,000 people fled their homes in September alone. Most migrated to overcrowded camps in urban areas, where Somalis share their stories of survival.

The drought crisis has been spiralling downward in 2017. Half the population, over 6.2 million people, now need humanitarian assistance, of which 3.1 million people are in a crisis situation, the Council said.

With families on the move in search of food, 388,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished.

NRC has responded to the crisis with direct cash relief for drought-affected families, in addition to other programmes.

This was funded by EU Humanitarian Aid under the EU Cash Alliance for Drought Affected Somalis programme, which has benefitted 400,000 people across the country.

“We have to continue this urgent response to prevent another famine from occurring in Somalia. Donors have made significant contributions towards this emergency, but more funding is needed,'' warned Waiijman.

According to NRC, predictions for the next rainy season are unfavourable. This would push more people over the edge, and continued support is needed.

While drought was the main cause of displacement in Somalia this year, other causes included conflict, insecurity and flooding. Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. 43 per cent of the population lives on less than US$1 per day. Life expectancy is just 51 years.

NRC programmes in Somalia include food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, education and legal assistance.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/ZAT/GABON 2017

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