Thursday April 6, 2023
Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, speaks during an event to the commemoration of International Human Rights Day held in Mogadishu, Somalia on 10 December 2019. UN Photo / Omar Abdisalan
Mogadishu (HOL) - The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, has issued an urgent call for continued support and increased financial aid to address the nation's ongoing crisis, fueled by climate change and long-standing conflict. Somalia is currently experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.
Somalia has recently faced the threat of famine due to a historic drought caused by five consecutive poor rainy seasons. Though seasonal rains began in March, sudden riverine flooding has led to the deaths of 21 people and displaced over 100,000. The Shabelle and Juba rivers may overflow, causing further flooding in agricultural areas, while insufficient rains are expected in the drought-stricken regions of the country.
"That is what climate change does," the Humanitarian 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."
Approximately half of Somalia's population, or 8.25 million people, urgently needs humanitarian and protection assistance. Nearly 5 million people experience acute food insecurity, while 3.8 million are internally displaced. The crisis has also impacted children, with 1.8 million acutely malnourished and 8 million people lacking access to essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The situation is further complicated by limited access to healthcare, as two-thirds of people in drought-affected areas cannot obtain necessary medical support.
Conflict and insecurity continue to exacerbate the crisis. An estimated 660,000 people reside in areas controlled by non-state armed actors, making humanitarian assistance challenging to deliver. Recent fighting in Laas Caanood has displaced 185,000 people in the last three months alone.
Generous donor support and increased humanitarian assistance have helped avert famine for now, but more than 43,000 deaths were attributed to drought-related causes in 2022. This year, the Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people but has only received 13% of the necessary funding.
"There is a real risk of complacency due to the projection of famine being removed, including through inadequate or late funding," said Mr. Abdelmoula. "Should that happen, we will lose all the gains made so far. I urge donors to frontload funding for Somalia. In addition, I ask for investments in durable solutions because this is equally a development crisis."