ACT Alliance Alert: Drought and Food insecurity in Somalia
- Brief description of the emergency and impact
The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains dire with drought alerts being sounded. In February, the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit-Somalia (FSNAU)1 and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)2, indicated that around 860,000 people would remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3)3 and higher phases through June 2014. There are reports that over 300,000 malnourished children in Somalia and a total nearing a million people are in need of life-saving help.
In the Southern and Central part of Somalia, the deteriorating food security is the result of intensified conflict, restricted trade, below average planting in some areas, and below average availability of agricultural labour opportunities related to below-average rainfall. The drought-affected regions include Gedo, Bakool, Galgadud, Hiran and Lower and Middle Shabelle.
There is little indication that Somali refugees from refugee camp, Dadaab, will return to Somalia in large numbers any time soon. However, an influx of these refugees into Dadaab is anticipated if the drought situation in Somalia deteriorates.
Worth noting is the added concern of the Polio outbreak in Somalia during recent months, as confirmed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in June 2014.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
Learning from the 2011 Horn response to famine a decisive action is needed early, rather than responding when the crisis has happened: early warnings require early action. The activities will focus on reducing drought risk and building community resilience.
3. National and international response
The Somali government established a $500,000 drought relief fund and renewed an appeal for international help to combat growing shortages of food and water. Internationally, despite this serious situation, funding for Somalia in 2014 is critically low. A total of US$933 million is required to meet humanitarian needs for 2014, of which only 19 % has been funded.