A severe drought hits many parts of Somalia leading worsening food insecurity

The severe drought that across Somalia’s region have left hundreds of thousands of Somalis food insecurity and water shortages.

According to UN Office for Coordinating of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 1.1 million Somalis are internally displaced. More than 320,000 children under the age of five years, or one in eight, are currently estimated to be acutely malnourished and are need of urgent nutrition support.

“Of these, 50,000 children are severely malnourished and far more vulnerable than any other group. Widespread human rights violations and continued insecurity are increasing protection risks, driving displacement and weakening the already depleted resilience of the most vulnerable,” OCHA said in a statement issued on 12th this month.

Bardhere local adminstration has appealed to Somali traders to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by severe drought which is ravaging the region

One of the officials of Bardhere town of Gedo region said several parts of the district have been affected by drought.

Thousands of local in villages under Hiraan region  have fled the countryside in search of food and water, trekking for days under scorching sun toward camps in major towns.

“We are deeply concerned … with severe drought conditions intensifying in Hiraan region, many more people risk relapsing into crisis,” said Mohamed Abdi, in Hiraan region.

Northern Somali areas in semi-autonomous Puntland state 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 region.

people in Mudug region say the most urgent needs include access to water, food, cash relief, emergency livelihood support, nutrition and health services to reduce morbidity and mortality.