World Bank approves close to $ 150 million to help vulnerable Somalis

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON DC: The World Bank has approved $ 143 million to help vulnerable Somalis overcome the growing drought and food insecurity across the country.

This additional investment in Somalia, will further strengthen the country’s response to the drought, and will ensure continued support for sustainable livelihoods.

The situation is dire and the World Bank is doing everything in its power to save the most vulnerable at this time,” said Kristina Svensson, World Bank Country Director for Somalia.

“We are taking advantage of our partnership with humanitarian agencies to alleviate the effects of the drought,” she added.

The World Bank says the project will address the needs of 20,000 families. It also pointed out that emergency cash will be provided to 338,000 households, and 160,000 households who will also receive funding for the project.

The World Bank is also taking advantage of a number of existing projects to strengthen drought response in Somalia. Through the Rehabilitation project.

The number of people dependent on humanitarian assistance is projected to increase by 7.7 million people by 2022, with an estimated 3 million internally displaced people and almost 70% of the population living below the global poverty line.

The approval of the aid comes after the World Bank Director for Somalia met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh on June 17, in the nation’s capital, Mogadishu.