UN provides $25 million aid package for drought-hit Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS/MOGADISHU: The United Nations humanitarian agency has released a $25 million drought relief package for providing immediate assistance to communities hard-hit by drought in Somalia. 

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Adam Abdelmoula, said on Thursday that the relief aid from the Somali Humanitarian Fund (SHF) would be used to provide food and water assistance to priority areas like Jubaland and Puntland. 

“The allocation is also expected to provide support to drought-displaced families and new arrivals at IDP sites by ensuring provision of key services”, said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

Abdelmoula said the allocation complements the recent $ 17 million from the United Nations Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) meant for communities ravaged by severe drought, adding that “substantial and early funding for response activities, including the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan, is critical to prevent further suffering and save lives”.

The UN estimates that more than 4.3 million Somalis are suffering from serious food, water and pasture shortages, which could lead to an “extreme situation” by April if it fails to rain.