Over 1.5 million face food crisis in Somalia-FAO
Approximately 294,200 acutely malnourished children, including 55 200 who are severely malnourished need urgently treatment and nutrition support between now and December 208.
Over 1.5 million people are facing food crisis in Somalia, the UN has said calling for urgent humanitarian support.
The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU) said in a report Sunday millions of Somalis face food crisis between August and December.
“Over 1.5 million people facing acute food security Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse need urgent humanitarian assistance and livelihood support between now and December 2018,” FSNAU, a project of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said.
The UN body adds that out of the 1.5 million cases, approximately 294,200 acutely malnourished children, including 55 200 who are severely malnourished need urgently treatment and nutrition support between now and December 208.
The report identifies northern regions of Sool, Adwal, Sanaag, riverine areas of north and southern Gedo, Beletweyne, Matabana, Jalalaqsi and Buloburte districts of Hiran Region and Juba Riverine as hotspots in need of urgent nutrition and health support interventions.
IDP populations in Bosaaso, Garowe, Galkacyo; Qardho, Mogadishu; Baidoa, Kismayo and Dolow also require urgent humanitarian interventions, the report based on 30 nutrition surveys between June and July this year adds.
Awdal region in Somaliland records the highest cases (36,000) at stage 4 which is considered emergency, followed by Bari (32,000) and Banaadir region which hosts the capital Mogadishu at 30,000.
Forecasts however indicate average to above average between October and December owing to Deyr rains, off-season harvests and favorable market conditions, the report notes but warns, acute food insecurity is still prevalent among populations who lost their animals during the 2016-17 severe drought.
Overall, FAO says, 4.6 million people in Somalia face acute food insecurity.
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