Two people commit suicide after losing livestock to drought in Puntland 

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: News coming in from the eastern region of Puntland State says two people committed suicide following the ravaging drought that has wiped everything in its track, according to the Puntland Drought Relief Committee.

Confirming the incident, Drought Relief Committee member Sheikh Osman Mohamud said the two, a man and a woman, hailing from different households, killed themselves by hanging after all their livestock died.

The man, aged 24, is said to have taken his own life after all means to provide for his young wife, who had just given birth, hit a brick wall, signifying the dire situation that several families are currently facing not only in Puntland State, but also across the entire country.

Sheikh Osman also pointed out that there were reports of several other people who had attempted suicide because the drought had stripped them of their dignity. 

Puntland is one of the states in Somalia that is currently in the grip of the worst drought in 40 years. Some areas have not had rain since November 2019. 

Last week, the UN humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, warned that parts of Somalia are on the brink of famine after being hit by four failed rainy seasons.

Malnutrition is also rising at an alarming rate, with Martin Griffiths warning that “one and a half million children in the country will face acute malnutrition by October if we remain on the current course”.