Ahlusunna appeals for urgent humanitarian aid amid severe drought

The moderate Islamist group Ahlusuna wal Jamaa appealed for an urgent humanitarian aid to help thousands of people affected by droughts in the regions controlled by the group.

Central Regions territory is facing serious food and water shortages, according to its drought respond the group’s drought committee chairperson, Yussuf Hassan Iyow.

“I appeal to the Somali people, wherever they are – all over the world and Somali government to help their suffering Somali people who lack food and water due to the drought in these regions,” said Iyow.

He said Most people in Somalia are pastoralists who depend on their livestock for survival and many of them perished due the severe drought.

“This drought is different from the previous droughts. People from all over do not have anywhere to escape to and some came here,” he said.

This week, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has acknowledged the devastation of the drought and urged all stakeholders to “respond more effectively” to the famine threat.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that there are 6.2 million drought-affected Somalis in need of assistance, including food, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, protection and shelter.