Press Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia [EN/SO]

Geneva, 5 April 2023 – Today, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr. Adam Abdelmoula, made a passionate appeal for sustained support to Somalia, where climate shocks and protracted conflict have created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

“Somalia teetered on the brink of famine in recent months due to a historic drought characterized by five consecutive poor rainy seasons,” Mr. Abdelmoula said in Geneva. “The crisis is far from over - needs remain high and urgent. Some of the most affected areas continue to face the risk of famine.”

In March, seasonal rains started with sudden riverine flooding, killing 21 people and displacing over 100,000. Due to rainfall in the Ethiopian highlands, the Shabelle and Juba rivers may overflow and flood farms. However, rains in Somalia are expected to underperform and are unlikely to be sufficient to improve the outlook for many Somalis. “That is what climate change does,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said. “It creates unpredictable cycles of drought and flooding.
Somalia, which has done so little to contribute to the climate crisis, is truly bearing the brunt of it.”

Nearly half of Somalia’s population - 8.25 million people - need lifesaving humanitarian and protection assistance. Of those, some 3.8 million are internally displaced. Nearly 5 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. Around 1.8 million children are acutely malnourished, and 8 million people lack access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Two-thirds of all people in drought-affected areas have no access to essential health care.
The crisis is exacerbated by conflict and insecurity. At least 660,000 people live in areas controlled by non-state armed actors and largely out of the reach of humanitarian assistance. Ongoing fighting in Laas Caanood has displaced 185,000 people in the last three months.

Generous donor support, scaled up humanitarian assistance and better performance of below-normal seasonal rains have averted famine for now. Still, an excess mortality of over 43,000 occurred due to drought-related causes in 2022. This year, the Humanitarian Response Plan requires US$2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people but is only 13 per cent funded as of today.

“There is a real risk of complacency due to the projection of famine being removed, including through inadequate or late funding,” said Mr. Abdelmoula. “Should that happen, we will lose all the gains made so far. I urge donors to frontload funding for Somalia. In addition, I ask for investments in durable solutions because this is equally a development crisis.”