The UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, made a passionate appeal for sustained support for the country’s most vulnerable on Wednesday. He warned that climate shocks and protracted conflict have created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. “Somalia teetered on the brink of famine in recent months due to an historic drought characterized by five consecutive poor rainy seasons,” Abdelmoula said in Geneva. “The crisis is far from over—needs remain high and urgent. Some of the most affected areas continue to face the risk of famine.”
In March, seasonal rains caused flooding that killed 21 people and displaced over 100,000. High rainfall in the Ethiopian highlands could cause the Shabelle and Juba rivers to overflow, flooding farmland, he warned. However, rains in Somalia itself are expected to underperform and are unlikely to improve the food‑security outlook for many. “That is what climate change does,” the coordinator said. “It creates unpredictable cycles of drought and flooding. Somalia, which has done so little to contribute to the climate crisis, is truly bearing the brunt of it.”
Nearly half of Somalia’s population—8.25 million people—need lifesaving humanitarian and protection assistance. Of those, about 3.8 million are internally displaced, nearly five million are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and 1.8 million children are severely malnourished. Eight million people lack adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, and two‑thirds of those in drought‑affected areas have no access to essential healthcare.
The crisis is exacerbated by conflict and insecurity, with at least 660,000 people living in areas controlled by non‑state armed actors and largely out of reach of humanitarian aid. Generous donor support and better‑than‑expected seasonal rains have averted famine for now, but 43 000 deaths occurred in 2022 from drought‑related causes. This year’s Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people, yet it is only 13 percent funded.
“There is a real risk of complacency due to the projection of famine being removed, including through inadequate or late funding,” Abdelmoula warned. “Should that happen, we will lose all the gains made so far. I urge donors to front‑load funding for Somalia. In addition, I ask for investments in durable solutions because this is equally a development crisis.”
Comments are closed for this story.