United Nations appeals for $ 18 million to mitigate impending humanitarian disaster in Southern and Central Somalia

IHA/98/18
United Nations Agencies in Somalia have launched a Donor Alert appealing for $ 18 million to provide emergency assistance in food, nutrition and health to over 300,000 persons in extremely precarious condition in southern and central Somalia. These regions have been affected by Somalia's third consecutive crop failure, the worst since 1995. Humanitarian organizations are also deeply concerned about the recent fighting for control of the southern port town of Kismayo, and the rise in insecurity in and around Mogadishu. Continued insecurity is one of the main causes for continued displacement and the increased vulnerability of populations.

Of the total amount, WFP is requesting $ 12 million, UNICEF $ 4,935,000, WHO $ 451,000 and FAO $ 725,000.

"The lives of 300,000 people are at risk and the livelihoods of an additional 400,000 are threatened by this crisis. The alarms of our early warning systems are ringing loudly - either we respond adequately now or face a much more serious crisis in early 1999. Quick response and adequate funding are paramount" says Dominik Langenbacher, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, who is the coordinator of the operation for the United Nations as well as for the Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB).

"The see-saw climatic changes of recent years have brought drought, followed By devastating floods, and drought again - leaving underground granaries bare and having exhausted local coping mechanisms. These problems are compounded by on-going factional fighting in the Bay / Bakool regions. Failure of the rains in October complicates an already precarious situation and dashes hopes for a good harvest in January," Mr. Langenbacher added.

The Donor Alert is based on a joint inter-agency Plan of Action comprising two phases. Phase I addresses the immediate crisis through food and nonfood assistance until January 1999. Phase II will begin in February after the harvest. The funding requirements to ensure the continuity humanitarian operations beyond February will be outlined in the 1999 Consolidated Appeal for Somalia to be submitted to donors on 16 December 1998.

The World Food Programme's (WFP) partner, the Food Security Assessment Unit (FSAU), estimates the food deficit for the November 1998 to June 1999 period at over 44,000 metric tonnes of which 12,000 mt are required for the next eight months. In addition, WFP has initiated preparations to provide 3,000 mt of food during November and December to almost 100,000 people in the worst affected areas of Bay / Bakool regions while the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has launched an immunization campaign. The ongoing response of the United Nations and its partners includes an operational- task force headed by UNICEF in collaboration with WFP, the Food and Agriculture (FAO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), several international NGOs, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Dominik Langenbacher,
The Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia,
telephone (+254-2 448 434) or fax (+254-2 448 439), or by E-mail: pg@undpsom.org.