The United Nations (UN) has warned Somalia’s rapidly worsening drought situation could reach an extreme situation by April next year, reported UN News. The drought has already left over two million Somalis facing severe food and water shortages.
The warning from the United Nations (UN) comes as the African country is facing a fourth consecutive failed rainfall season.
In a statement issued on Friday, the organizations said it is crucial to take steps now in order to prevent a worsening drought situation and even famine conditions experienced in previous years.
So far, about 100,000 people have left their homes in search of food, water, and pasture for their livestock in Somalia. The lack of access to safe water and sanitation has also increased the risk of water-borne diseases.
“About 2.3 million people in 57 of 74 districts – nearly 20 percent of the population in the affected districts – are ravaged by serious water, food, and pasture shortages as water pans and boreholes have dried up,” the statement said.
It added that climate change was one of the main drivers behind the worsening situation. Notably, more than 80 percent of Somalia is estimated to be experiencing severe drought conditions.
The number of people requiring humanitarian aid is estimated to increase by 30 percent in 2022, from 5.9 million to about 7.7 million.
Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Somalia, said that a severe storm is brewing in Somalia.
The UN official said those affected have already faced decades of conflict, climatic hazards, and disease outbreaks. He urged urgent action to prevent famine conditions in the country.
Since 1990, Somalia has faced more than 30 climate-related hazards, including 19 floods and 12 droughts.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), around 71% of the people in Somalia will continue to remain below the poverty line in 2022.
