Famine in Somalia can only be reversed with continued humanitarian assistance

Nairobi (18 November 2011) – Increased humanitarian assistance has had a significant impact in the famine-affected parts of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions, bringing these areas out of famine.

However, according to the latest data compiled by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit and Famine Early Warning System in southern Somalia, famine persists in parts of the Middle Shabelle region and in the areas hosting internally displaced persons in Mogadishu and along the Afgooye corridor. Malnutrition and mortality rates in many parts of southern Somalia continue to be the highest in the world.

“Any improvements can only be sustained if the current level of humanitarian assistance continues,” said Mark Bowden, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “If humanitarian activities are interrupted or reduced in southern Somalia, many areas will fall back into famine. It is only thanks to the generosity of donors that we have been able to save tens of thousands of lives in the past three months. We need this support to continue or the price we pay will be the loss of thousands of lives.”

In early December, the humanitarian community will launch an appeal for crucial funding for Somalia in 2012. “This appeal is required to save lives and to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid by assisting Somali households to better cope with any future shocks,” said Bowden.

“The situation is still critical. While malnutrition levels have reduced in some areas, they are still at famine levels in many parts of southern Somalia. Humanitarian assistance covers about half of the needs of the population and must be increased. Mortality rates are still amongst the highest in the world, mainly due to high malnutrition and diseases, such as malaria, cholera and measles, which are killing thousands, most of them children,” said Bowden.

Somalia continues to face the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with over half of its population in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Three million out of the four million people in crisis are in southern Somalia, where access to the population in need remains a major challenge.

For further information, please contact Russell Geekie on geekie@un.org or +254 731043156