Somalia receives $10.5 million for drought mitigation

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal government of Somalia has been bailed with $10.5 million for drought mitigation, with the country still struggling to control the situation which has ravaged people for the last four years, the worst in as many years according to weather and climate change experts.

The United States Agency for International Development, the British embassy in Mogadishu, and Qatar Fund for Development collectively gave $10. 5 million, through the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia consortium, the trilateral cooperation expands on the famine prevention and resilience initiatives made in 2021–2022 by all three parties.

Statistics from the United Nations show over 6.6 people are affected by the ravaging drought, with thousands of them already displaced from their families. Some other families, the UN says, have opted to cross over to neighboring Kenya.

Half of the estimated 43,000 deaths so far have involved youngsters under the age of five, reports said. Without ongoing assistance, more than 500,000 children under the age of five-run the risk of dying or facing severe malnourishment this year.

“This is significant, but humanitarian aid alone cannot address the crisis. That is why the UK is reinforcing BRCiS’ response through continued collaboration with the US and Qatar,” said Mike Nithavrianakis, British envoy to Somalia.

“These contributions will save lives. The funds will enable us to reinforce market-based systems that drive supply and demand initiatives while ensuring 41,000 people receive emergency food assistance (multi-purpose cash),” Perrine Piton, BRCiS Chief of Party said.

Qatar Charity provides financial support to Ph.D. students in Somalia.

“330,000 individuals have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene materials; and 175,000 people are provided with lifesaving health and nutrition services.”

Recently, rains affected parts of the country also causing displacement of people. The country is also fighting the unending Al-Shabaab war, which has caused Mogadishu a fortune. Al-Shabaab takes advantage of such misfortunes to attack innocent civilians and security forces.

“The drought crisis has cast a shadow on the already worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia due to the coronavirus pandemic. This affected millions and has increased the threat of famine, displacement, food insecurity, and severe malnutrition among children, which imposes on everyone without exception,” Abdullah bin Salim AlmNaimi, Qatar’s ambassador to Somalia, said.

“Providing humanitarian and relief support would alleviate millions affected by humanitarian conditions, helping them to withstand these complex situations further, and working to save lives, which is primarily a human duty.”

GAROWE ONLINE