Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The United Nations aid agency on Monday called for efforts to raise more funds to deal with the growing drought in many areas of Somalia.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the spread of prolonged dry conditions will worsen an already dire humanitarian situation in Somalia.
“To alleviate the situation, humanitarian agencies must urgently mobilize and coordinate resources to address the growing drought crisis and prepare for the expected challenges of the Spring,” OCHA said in a humanitarian report released in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.
It said the poor autumn rains in October-December 2024 have led to drought conditions in the southern and central regions and the current hot and dry ones.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has predicted that the spring rains in April-June will be abnormal in most regions of Somalia, with delays in important agricultural areas. According to OCHA, above average temperatures will increase.
“Given that drought conditions have gradually worsened since January, urgent humanitarian assistance and long-term resilience activities, including the drilling of boreholes, livestock support, and sustainable water management, are urgently needed,” OCHA said.
She warned that food insecurity, malnutrition and displacement will worsen in the coming months, disproportionately affecting women, children, and marginalized groups.
About 4.4 million people face high levels of food insecurity, with 1.6 million children likely to suffer from acute malnutrition by July, OCHA said.
By late 2024, the United Nations has earmarked 10 million US dollars for Somalia’s early La Nina response.
In January, OCHA launched Somalia’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan to help up to 4.6 million people, out of 5.98 million who need assistance this year against key threats such as drought and conflict.
Drier conditions will increase competition for resources, stress coping mechanisms, and increase the risk of disease outbreaks, OCHA said.