In a dire assessment of the situation in Somalia, a UK-based humanitarian organization, Islamic Relief, has revealed that a staggering quarter of the country’s population is now displaced due to the devastating combination of drought and conflict. This alarming revelation comes as the displacement crisis in Somalia reaches unprecedented levels.
According to the latest report by Islamic Relief, released on Wednesday, more than 4.3 million individuals have been internally displaced within Somalia, marking the highest number ever recorded in a country with a total population of approximately 17 million.
The report underscores the multifaceted impact of the drought in Somalia, which has not only claimed lives, both human and livestock, but has also wrought havoc on crops, leading to soaring food prices and driving many into the depths of destitution.
Farhan Abdirizak Adan, an Islamic Relief project officer stationed in Baidoa, one of the hardest-hit cities in the Horn of Africa nation, conveyed the harrowing reality on the ground.
“I see so many women in the camps wearing white headscarves, symbolizing the loss of their husbands to war or hunger,” Adan remarked, as quoted in the report. He further illuminated the dire conditions in Baidoa, stating that the situation is almost beyond comprehension, with a constant influx of new arrivals.
Adan lamented the hardships faced by those seeking aid, where the meager resources often leave them waiting for weeks to receive essential sustenance. Tragically, lives are lost to hunger during this agonizing wait.
Adan noted that without sufficient aid, the toll of hunger-related deaths would be even greater. However, humanitarian organizations are grappling with limited funds, unable to assist everyone in need.
In addition, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a statement forecasting the potential impact of El Nino, warning that it could affect 1.2 million individuals and inundate 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of land in Somalia starting from October.
The FAO’s statement emphasizes the heightened vulnerability of riverine communities in Somalia, with an estimated 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of land at risk of flooding. Urgent action is required to safeguard lives and livelihoods in the country.
“There is a brief window of opportunity for intervention to prevent a large-scale humanitarian disaster,” the FAO stressed.
Somalia stands as one of the hardest-hit countries in the region, grappling with a relentless drought, with a staggering 8.25 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
By xamse
September 1, 2023
