FAO Warns of Continuing Food Insecurity in Somalia Despite Humanitarian Assistance

Photo credit: Save the Children.

ROME, (GO) - Somalia has been on the brink of famine in recent months due to the unprecedented drought triggered by five consecutive poor rainy seasons and an anticipated sixth, exacerbated by high food and water prices, conflict and poor access to water, sanitation and health services.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC) analysis reveals that nearly 5 million people across Somalia are experiencing IPC Phase 3 ‘Crisis’ or worse levels of acute food insecurity, including 96 000 people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5).

Acute hunger is expected to rise, with 6.5 million people projected to be facing ‘Crisis’ or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) levels of acute food insecurity between April and June this year, including 223 000 people who will likely face catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5).

FAO has received $183 million accounting for 68 percent of required funds under FAO’s Somalia Famine Prevention Scale-up Plan (May 2022 – June 2023). With these funds, the Organization reached over 1 million people or 47 percent of the targeted 2.4 million.

FAO urgently requires additional funding to scale up immediate access to food and basic needs in rural, hard-to-reach and inaccessible areas, as well as to safeguard livelihoods and support food production where it is still possible.

FAO’s proposed new model requires joint and coordinated efforts to shift investments towards longer-term integrated solutions for sustainable water and food security.

The current situation demonstrates the urgent need to massively scale up investments and policies for disaster risk reduction and resilience building, highlighting agriculture’s crucial role in achieving a sustainable future for the people of Eastern Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE