Agencies appeal for US$111m to help the Somali people, plus additional funds for drought

Nairobi (27 February 2004) -- The United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Somalia are appealing to donors for US $111 million for the year 2004 to fund a variety of emergency, recovery and development projects that will provide much needed assistance to the Somali people.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr Maxwell Gaylard, also appealed to donors to provide urgent support to more than 200,000 Somali pastoralists whose livelihoods are threatened due to prolonged drought in Northern Somalia. Of these vulnerable pastoralists, 90,000 are facing a severe humanitarian emergency.

"The response to the drought from donors has so far been positive," said Mr Gaylard. "But we now know that many more people have been affected, some of whom have yet to receive assistance, and without which we can expect great suffering." The humanitarian response has so far been targeted at the Sool Plateau, which primarily covers the Sool and Sanaag regions. But the drought has spread to additional areas in the lower Nugaal Valley found in the Sool and Nugaal regions, parts of Bari and Mudug regions, and southern Togdheer region.

While nearly 90,000 people are in continuing need of emergency relief, a further 113,000 require urgent livelihoods support, such as cash for work projects, to prevent a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

The humanitarian programme for Somalia aims to: 1) enhance the protection of and respect for the human rights and dignity of Somalis; 2) help emerging governance structures, civil society groups and communities to function effectively; and 3) save lives, alleviate human suffering and help vulnerable communities become self reliant.

Programmes in the inter-agency consolidated appeal launched in Nairobi today target the most vulnerable: approximately 350,000 internally displaced persons; 460,000 returnees from exile; and tens of thousands of Somalis belonging to the minority groups. Some 70,000 to 100,000 ex-combatants, who without an alternative living to the gun will continue to destabilize the country, are also targeted.

"Our programmes in 2003 have made a positive impact in improving the lives of Somalis," said Mr. Gaylard. "But shortfalls in funding or late funding means that many activities that could have provided an important opportunity for improving people lives cannot be fully implemented."

Saying that the Somalis have not stood still over the long period of isolation since the collapse of their government 13 years ago, Mr Gaylard acknowledged the vital role played by the entrepreneurial business community, local NGOs, women's groups, and the continued support from Somalis in the diaspora in rebuilding the country.

"Despite many challenges, the continuity of humanitarian assistance in all forms has made a positive difference in war torn Somalia," he said. "And this has encouraged Somalis in moving forward."

For further information, please contact:
Kelly David-Toweh, UN Coordination Unit/ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Tel: +254 2 4448433