Somalia facing a new year of tragedy

There is alarming news coming from Somalia. The East African nation, which just three years ago suffered a famine, is in danger of a new hunger emergency.

With over a million people needing life-saving food, funding for humanitarian aid is low. The UN says that assistance programs are being scaled back.

The coming New Year may start off with a tragedy. A UN report states,

The World Food Programme warns that 700,000 people may no longer receive food and nutrition assistance as early as by January next year due to lack of resources.”

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) relies on voluntary donations for its operations. Their resources are stretched because of wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

UNICEF is also low on funds. The UN children’s agency reports that it hassuspended some healthcare services for 2.5 million Somalis. It is estimated that 300,000 children under age 5 are not receiving help. Small children are at extreme risk of malnutrition, which can cause lasting physical and mental damage. Severe malnutrition claims the lives of children.

The Food and Agriculture Organization has cut back on projects that help improve agriculture for Somali farmers. Flooding in some regions has damaged crops. Farmers need the assistance.

Donors need to come through soon. It can takes weeks or months for food to arrive in Somalia after a contribution.

Source: examiner