Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs It is a specialized, independent, non-profit media network that observes and follows up the Somali humanitarian scene
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MOGADISHU — Aid agencies operating in Somalia appealed to the international community on Monday to increase funding to address the humanitarian needs resulting from the impact of the 2022-2023 drought, El-Nino rains and the current flash floods in the country.
The aid agencies, under the umbrella of the Somalia NGO Consortium, also highlighted the urgent need for solutions to address the impact of climate change and to scale up resources to enable agencies to continue assisting the affected people.
“Urgent action is imperative to address acute malnutrition among Somali children, with over 400,000 at risk of severe malnutrition,” the agencies said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The humanitarian agencies said that the ongoing conflict and insecurity pose significant challenges in reaching the most vulnerable people, making it increasingly perilous for aid workers to operate in some areas of the country.
“All parties have an obligation to save lives, and we call for urgent and unimpeded access to the affected populations,” the agencies said.
The organizations said that although an improvement in the food security situation was expected in the projected period from April to June, heavy rains in April and May have led to localized flooding, affecting an estimated 203,438 people across Somalia, displacing 37,120 people and leading to the deaths of nine people, including seven children.
The flash floods have also inundated infrastructure, including roads, bridges and airstrips, especially in southern Somalia, making roads temporarily impassable and affecting communities and displaced sites.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 1.7 million children aged below six are facing acute malnutrition in 2024, including 430,000 who are likely to be severely malnourished due to poor food access, diseases such as acute watery diarrhea, low health and nutrition services, and poor access to improved drinking water and sanitation.
“Without a significant increase in funding from donors, we cannot adequately respond to the escalating needs. We call on donors to increase their commitments, cut and/or reduce red tape to release and allocate funds,” the agencies said.
Source: Xinhua Origin: View original
