Somalia is starving. 6.5 million People face famine in a humanitarian crisis that has to concern all of us!
Somali youngster/Photo Reuters
Somalia has been hit by a famine that has affected millions of people since 2011. The situation is dire, and the United Nations has declared a state of emergency. The famine is the result of a combination of factors, including drought, conflict, and poor governance. According to the World Food Program, 6.5 million people face acute food insecurity between April and June 2023, 1.8 million children under 5 face acute malnutrition and 223,000 people face catastrophic levels of hunger. If the March to June rainy season also fails, purchasing power continues to decline and humanitarian relief does not reach those most in need, the risk of famine will continue to loom over some areas of Somalia. The last famine, declared in 2011, killed a quarter of a million people. The drought is one of the primary causes of the famine. Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, which is one of the driest regions on the planet. The country has experienced a severe drought for several years, which has resulted in crop failures and the death of livestock. Many people rely on farming and animal husbandry for their livelihoods, and the drought has left them with nothing to eat or sell. The ongoing hunger crisis in Somalia does not yet meet the threshold for a famine categorization, according to the latest report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)—the international organization responsible for monitoring global hunger—but the situation is likely to worsen in the coming months. This is why, Somalia now ranks at the top of the International Rescue Committee’s Emergency Watchlist.
This is NOT a Natural Disaster!
A new report by the Somalia government’s Minister of Health estimates that the drought caused 43,000 excess deaths in 2022. People are starving to death each day, and they are in physical pain from hunger. Their bodies cannot fight off diseases like diarrhea, measles or malaria, with children often dying at twice the rate of adults.
You might be tempted to think this is all due to…nature. However, this far from the truth. The frequency and severity of droughts have been intensified by human caused climate change, while decades of conflict have eroded Somalia’s institutions to a significant extent. Consequently, Somalia’s domestic food production has suffered extensive damage, rendering the country excessively dependent on imported grains, specifically sourced from Ukraine and Russia.
The internal conflict in Somalia has also contributed to the famine. The country has been in a state of civil war for decades, which has displaced millions of people and disrupted food production. The conflict has made it difficult for aid organizations to deliver food and supplies to those who need it most. In some areas, aid workers have been targeted and attacked, making it even more difficult to provide assistance.
The poor governance of Somalia has also contributed to the famine. The country has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of investment in infrastructure. The government has not provided adequate support to farmers or invested in water management, leaving people vulnerable to droughts and food shortages.
The famine has had a devastating impact on the people of Somalia. In just one year, the number of people in Somalia facing the highest levels of extreme hunger has increased 91%. The situation is particularly dire for those who are displaced or living in rural areas. Many families are forced to choose between feeding their children or sending them to school, as they cannot afford to do both.
International aid organizations have been working to provide assistance to those affected by the famine. However, they have limited ability to enter and operate in areas controlled by non-state armed groups. There are reports of food deliveries being burned and water sources being poisoned or destroyed. The scale of the crisis is overwhelming, and more support is needed to address the root causes of the famine.
To address the immediate crisis, aid organizations are calling for increased funding to provide food and medical supplies to those in need. They are also calling for an end to the conflict in Somalia and for the government to invest in infrastructure and support for farmers. In the long term, addressing the root causes of the famine will require a sustained effort from the international community. This will involve investment in water management and infrastructure, support for farmers, and measures to address corruption and improve governance.
The famine in Somalia is a tragic reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in many parts of the world. It is a call to action for governments, aid organizations, and individuals to come together to provide assistance and address the root causes of poverty and hunger. Only through sustained effort and cooperation can we hope to end the suffering of those affected by the famine in Somalia and around the world.
Donate now to support the WFP’s (World Food Programme) life-changing work in Somalia. WFP works both directly and through over 100 partners, even in areas where insecurity makes access challenging. They are on the frontlines helping drought-affected households to prepare for a potential fourth poor rainy season with cash transfers and an information campaign.
https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/somalia-emergency
By Ioana Constantin
