Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
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MOGADISHU — Somalia is grappling with a deepening food crisis, with at least 3.6 million people facing critical levels of hunger, according to a September 2024 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The situation is set to worsen in the coming months, with an estimated 4.4 million people projected to experience food insecurity between October and December, exacerbated by anticipated below-average rains.
The dire prediction is based on findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which highlights the impact of erratic rainfall, flooding, and conflict as major drivers of Somalia’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. According to the report, more than 1.6 million children under the age of five are at risk of acute malnutrition, with 403,000 likely to suffer from severe malnutrition.
“Compared to last year, this represents a significant increase in both Global Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition,” the report notes. Southern Somalia is reported to be the worst affected, with over two-thirds of malnourished children concentrated in these regions.
The IPC report warns that La Niña conditions, which have an 80% probability of occurring, could lead to drought across Somalia. These climatic conditions are expected to result in below-normal rains during the deyr season from October to December, further impacting food security by reducing crop productivity and depleting soil moisture.
Humanitarian agencies also warn of a potential rise in disease outbreaks during this period, with limited access to clean water and sanitation further compounding the situation. “The expected spike in disease outbreaks, coupled with reduced food access, will have devastating consequences for the most vulnerable populations, especially children,” OCHA noted.
The humanitarian response is under increasing strain as funding falls short of the $1.6 billion needed to adequately address the crisis. So far, only $594 million has been received for the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HNRP). Despite this, the Acting UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, has allocated $3 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address the urgent needs of those displaced by conflict.
However, experts warn that the lack of sustained funding could lead to a reduction in critical health and nutrition services, leaving many without access to life-saving assistance. The IPC report emphasizes the need for timely, multi-sectoral interventions to prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating further.
In a positive development, Garowe Hospital in Puntland State has reopened after nearly four years of reconstruction. The hospital is expected to provide essential healthcare services to an estimated one million people, primarily women and children. The reopening of this facility is seen as a significant step in improving access to healthcare in Puntland, which has been severely impacted by years of conflict and instability.
As Somalia faces the prospect of worsening food insecurity, humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent action to mitigate the effects of the looming drought and prevent further displacement. The 2025 Somalia Humanitarian Programme Cycle, currently underway, aims to target the most vulnerable populations in need of assistance.
“The time to act is now,” said an OCHA spokesperson. “We must ensure that resources are mobilized to provide critical support to those facing hunger and malnutrition in the coming months.”
With La Niña likely to bring more hardship to the already fragile country, Somalia’s humanitarian crisis is expected to persist unless immediate and coordinated action is taken.
Source: Mustaqbal Media Origin: view original
