Somalia appeals for $1b as 4 million face starvation

The two said in a joint statement while launching a $1.09 billion appeal for 2021 that about one million more Somalis will  face critical food shortage this year compared to last year.

“Multiple crises including erratic climate shocks, protracted conflict, disease outbreaks and a massive desert locust infestation have driven millions of children, women and men in Somalia to the brink of survival,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula said.

The funds will cater for access to basic services such as food, shelter and health services, the UN official said noting the triple impact of COVID19, desert locusts and floods had compounded an already fragile situation driving millions more into starvation.

According to the UN, 2.3 million people facing starvation in Somalia were reached for aid support in 2020 against a target of 3 million. An additional one million people will need emergency food assistance this year.

Humanitarian Affairs Minister Khadija Diriye appealed for sustainable solutions to cushion Somalis from the recurrent effects of climatic shocks.

“This 2021 response plan clearly emphasizes the Government’s position that humanitarian needs in Somalia cannot be addressed by the delivery of life-saving assistance alone and it highlights that there are opportunities for development actors to contribute to strengthened resilience of Somalis,” Diriye said.

Overall, 5.9 million people will need food assistance this year compared to 5.2 million last year.