Hiiraan Online
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Somali women from southern Somalia walk after receiving rations at a displaced camp in MogadishuPicture: AP Source: news.com.au
MOGADISHU (HOL) – One day after aid agencies declared that as nearly five million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and over one million people remain displaced inside the country, the European Commission has announced €29 million in humanitarian support for the most vulnerable populations in Somalia for 2016.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EU said that the funding would help provide support in the areas of food, health services, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, protection and education in emergencies.
"The EU will continue to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the most vulnerable populations in Somalia. Despite the challenging security conditions for humanitarian workers to deliver aid,” said Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management in an announcement for the funds during a visit to the Somali capital Mogadishu,
“We cannot overlook long lasting and complex crises like that of Somalia. Today I have met with key humanitarian partners, beneficiaries and authorities. Our humanitarian aid remains most needed, yet a conducive political environment is the only solution that can end the humanitarian crisis.” He said.
According to aid agencies, the ongoing conflict and complex emergency in Somalia has displaced millions from their homes while over a million people have been internally displaced.
According to EU, almost a similar number of Somalis have fled to neighbouring countries, mostly Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen. The country has also been weakened by years of consecutive crises: famine, poor harvests, droughts and other natural disasters. Meanwhile, safe and free humanitarian access to people in need remains difficult in certain areas.
The horn of Africa is also currently being affected by the extreme weather phenomenon ‘El Niño’ with 145 200 people faced floods in the south of the country during the last quarter of 2015 and almost a
thousand cases of acute waterborne diseases were reported. In the north.
EU says that over 340 000 people affected by droughts are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Last month, the EU announced support worth €79 million for the Greater Horn of Africa region, including Somalia, to deal with the consequences of ‘El Niño’.