UN launches online appeal for Somalia as donor funding dwindles

GOOBJOOG NEWS/MOGADISHU:The United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA has launched an online appeal  for funding as Somalia, one of the most vulnerable countries in the world is facing its’ worst humanitarian crisis since the onset of the Corona virus pandemic.
In 2020, flooding affected two million people and in November 2020, Cyclone Gati impacted 120,000 people in the northeastern region of Puntland.
All these have been exacerbated by the pandemic and lack of funding since humanitarian aid is now at its lowest in 6 years while the Humanitarian Response Plan is only at 40% funded.
The Somali government and the UN appealed for $1.09 billion a slight increase from the $1.01 billion, to assist Somalis in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021.
This funding will meet the needs of 4 out of 5.9 million people who will need humanitarian assistance, an increase from 5.2 million persons in 2020.
The UN office for humanitarian affairs on 17th February 2021, said about 1.3 million people were displaced in Somalia in 2020.
Out of a total of 2.9 million IDPs [Internally Displaced Persons] in the country, 1.6 million are most vulnerable and will require humanitarian assistance in 2021,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.
Notwithstanding the terrible nature of the challenges and a difficult operating environment, the UN’s resolve with the help of humanitarian partners, is to work in close coordination with the Government and other authorities in providing lifesaving support to those who need it the most.