Faith Nyasuguta
UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Somalia has cautioned that the country is undergoing a “catastrophic emergency” due to the most severe drought in the state’s history.
Speaking during a joint meeting of the League of Arab States and the United Nations, Adam Abdelmoula noted that Somalia was suffering from its fifth consecutive failed rainy season with a sixth failed season predicted for next year.
He outlined the situation which has left nearly half of the Somalian population affected by drought.
“As we gather here today, approximately 7.8 million Somalis, and that is nearly half of its population, have been affected by the drought and nearly 1.3 million people have been displaced since January 2021,” he said.
He added that some 6.7 million people were expected to face high levels of “acute food insecurity”.
A rare famine declaration could be made soon, the first significant one anywhere in the world since Somalia’s famine a decade ago.
As the world is gripped by food insecurity, Somalia, a country of 15 million people shaking off its past as a failed state, can be considered the end of the line.
The nation of proud pastoralists that have survived generations of drought now stumbles amid several global crises descending at once.
Speaking on Tuesday at a joint meeting between the UN and the League of Arab States, the UN humanitarian coordinator said Somalia was suffering from its fifth consecutive failed rainy season.
“The end to the emergency is nowhere in sight. As we gather here today, approximately 7.8 million Somalis, and that is nearly half of its population, have been affected by the drought.”
“Nearly 1.3 million people have been displaced since January 2021, 6.7 million people are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity. That is by the end of this coming year”, said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Humanitarian coordinator for Somalia said.
The Arab League secretary-general stressed the risks for the security situation in the country.
“Statistics indicate that the numbers of people who are living in pre-famine or near famine conditions in Somalia have increased five times since the beginning of the year and internal displacement is still ongoing.”
“The conflict for scarce resources is dangerously affecting peace and security for society and the political situation in Somalia”, said Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
