Thousands face food insecurity as drought bites Puntland

Thousands of Somalis in regions of Seni-autonomous regional state Puntland are at risk of starvation due to food insecurity, A lawmaker in Puntland Assembly said on Sunday.

Abdikarim Hussein Guure, a member of Puntland Assembly said that the famine has affected many nomadic pastoralists in several regions in Puntland

Guure attributed the drought to less-than-average rainfall in the region, adding that it had resulted in the drying up of vegetation and water sources

“The land has experienced lack of rainfall for long time about five years, resulting in the drought situation,” said Guure.

He said the situation is fast becoming a threat to lives as food shortages hits most villages in the region and many families trapped in hunger as they cannot afford means to move to places they can get food and water.

“Many families do not have any means to get out of their homes as the drought bites. As a result, some have lost their children to hunger. Livestock have also died as a result of the drought,” said Guure.

Guure is calling on the Puntland regional government, the Federal government and international Community to move swiftly to avert loss of lives.

“We request local and International Community to immediately address severe water shortage and looming famine,” Guure urged.

The worst-affected areas of the country are parts of Puntland and the self-declared republic of Somaliland.