In a dire warning, the United Nations’ humanitarian chief has stated that Somalia needs at least $1 billion urgently to prevent a famine in the coming months. The prediction follows a historic drought that has devastated the Horn of Africa nation and is expected to worsen with the arrival of two more dry seasons.
The undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Martin Griffiths, shared this information during a video briefing held in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. According to an authoritative panel of independent experts, Somalia will likely experience famine between October and December if immediate action is not taken, similar to the famines witnessed in 2016 and 2017.
Griffiths emphasized that more than $1 billion in additional funds is needed, in addition to the UN’s current appeal for approximately $1.4 billion. He acknowledged the positive response to the appeal, with significant contributions from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which donated $476 million in humanitarian and development aid in July.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, established by USAID, released a report highlighting that famine is projected to strike three areas in Somalia’s southeastern Bay region, including Baidoa, unless urgent humanitarian aid is provided.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which measures the severity of food insecurity, approximately 7.1 million people in Somalia require immediate assistance to treat and prevent acute malnutrition and reduce hunger-related deaths.
The Horn of Africa region is facing an unprecedented crisis, with four consecutive failed rainy seasonsā€”a phenomenon not witnessed in over half a century. This has put approximately 20 million people in one of the world’s most impoverished and turbulent regions at risk.
Griffiths revealed that meteorologists have predicted a high likelihood of a fifth failed rainy season from October to December, followed by a sixth from January to March next year. This escalation of the crisis further compounds the situation in Somalia, which is unprecedented in the country’s history.
In his plea for international support, Griffiths emphasized the need to avert the potential horror of a famine not only in Somalia but also in Ethiopia and Kenya. The UN World Food Program has been providing assistance to 5.3 million Somalis, primarily through cash distributions via mobile phones. However, thousands of vulnerable individuals are yet to receive aid, and famine would exacerbate the situation.
One of the major challenges is to deliver aid to communities before they are forced to leave their homes due to the dire conditions. Livestock, vital for the survival of many Somalis, has been decimated, with three million animals dying or being slaughtered due to the lack of rain.
Griffiths emphasized the need for the international community to support Somalis in finding alternative ways of life and livelihoods, which would require funding for development and mitigation of the effects of climate change.
The British diplomat further highlighted that humanitarian aid worldwide is facing funding challenges, with UN appeals receiving an average of only 30% of the required funds due to competing global crises. Griffiths called on traditionally generous countries, including the UK, to continue supporting Somalia during this critical time, just as they have done in the past.
Media Talk Africa urges all nations to contribute generously to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Somalia and stand in solidarity with the vulnerable populations in the Horn of Africa region.
