Federal government to release $ 1 million  for drought intervention

Somali government Sunday announced that US 1 million will be released to fight hunger in drought affected region amid deaths have been reported from some regions.

The emergency cash transfers will be hand over Drought Response Committee and it will be used for water trucking and providing relief food.

The vulnerable households of all drought affected regions will benefit from the money, according press statement by ministry for finance.

Some of the regions worst affected by the drought include: Hiiraan, Lower and Middle Shabelle, some regions in Puntland and the breakaway Somaliland.

Last week Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud raised the alarm over ravaging drought in northern and southern Somalia.

In a statement, the president said it was so important to intervene quickly to prevent a human catastrophe.

“The situation is very severe. The conditions are very harsh,” said president Mohamud.

The president also called on other humanitarian agencies to intervene to alleviate suffering for Somalis, who rely on livestock for their livelihood.

Osman Geedi Elmi, Bulaburde district commissioner speaking to Goobjoog News last week, cautioned against the government and donor agencies waiting until the situation deteriorates further, saying such late response could result in deaths.

“We don’t need to wait until we start seeing images of malnourished people to act. We need to act with speed,” he said.

Acute water crisis has hit some villages in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan regions following a drought that has shrunk pasture and water resources in the region.
Pastoralist families are facing a serious shortage of water and pastures after several water points dried up the last few months as a result of dry spell that has hit in the breakaway Somaliland and Puntland state.
Thousands of Somalis have fled the countryside in search of food and water, trekking for days under scorching sun toward camps in major towns.