Somalia Humanitarian Key Messages. Authorized by the Humanitarian Coordinator. September 2014. 1. Fragile gains since th
Somalia Humanitarian Key Messages Authorized by the Humanitarian Coordinator
September 2014
1. Fragile gains since the end of the 2011 famine are being eroded. After two years
of incremental improvements, a lethal mix of drought, surging food prices, increasing malnutrition, insecurity and slow funding is plunging the humanitarian situation in Somalia into significant decline. Three months ago the humanitarian community sounded the alarm and humanitarian response plans were prepared and launched. Swift action by humanitarian partners and donors has mitigated the detrimental effects of the current crisis. However, a sustained and scaled up response is required now to prevent a free fall. 2. Food security is once again a key concern for Somalia. Over 1 million people in
Somalia face acute food insecurity today. This is an increase of 20 per cent from 857,000 people six months ago, many of them internally displaced. This brings the total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance or livelihood support to over 3 million. Coping capacities are severely stretched and vulnerable families are left with limited to no coping mechanisms and risk being pushed further into destitution. The situation is likely to deteriorate further until the start of the short Deyr rains in October. 3. Acute malnutrition levels are alarming. There are about 218,000 acutely
malnourished children in Somalia who require emergency nutrition supplement, access to clean water and better hygiene. Of these, 43,800 children are so severely malnourished that they will die if they do not receive medical treatment and therapeutic food. Three of four acutely malnourished children are in southern and central Somalia and the situation is worst among displaced communities. Compared to the same period in September 2010, ahead of the 2011 famine, acute malnutrition levels are already worse1. Without vaccinations to curb the current measles and other disease outbreaks, these children could die. 4. The precarious situation is against a backdrop of sobering realities. Only one in
three Somalis has access to safe water; one in every 10 Somali children die before seeing their first birthday; one in 18 women die in childbirth; the majority of displaced people live in sub-standard shelter. 5. Aid workers need a safe and conducive environment to operate. To reach
vulnerable people in the recently recovered towns in southern Somalia, it is critical to secure the main supply routes for commercial and humanitarian goods. Humanitarians have deployed innovative solutions, which have allowed the scaling up of response. Aid organizations began using air cargo flights to areas with no road access in August, but it is simply not sufficient to deliver the volume of humanitarian assistance required. It is hoped that if the ongoing military operation leads to the 1
The global acute malnutrition in southern and central Somalia post-Gu harvest in 2010 was 15.95%. In the post-Gu harvest in 2014 it is 17.3%. The severe acute malnutrition post-Gu 2010 was 2.05%, and in post-Gu 2014 it is 3.7%
establishment of proper administrative structures in the newly controlled areas, it may provide an opportunity for humanitarian organizations to have a safe and predictable access to people in need in those areas. 6. Another serious crisis in Somalia can still be avoided. Despite the extremely
difficult and dangerous operating environment, humanitarian organizations can reach people in need. Last year’s massive polio vaccination campaign reached over 4 million people and managed to contain the number of polio cases at 194 cases last year and only five confirmed cases this year. This year, over 1.4 million people were reached with food assistance and livelihoods support. Almost 500,000 people have been supported with access to safe water and as many benefitted from health services. 160,000 people were also provided with latrines. In addition, about 95,000 severely malnourished children under five have been treated in nutrition centres across the country. 7. Urgent and concerted action is required now. The Humanitarian Appeal remains
severely underfunded. Concerted efforts are urgently required to save lives and prevent a free fall. Over 1 million people in Somalia face acute food insecurity. Another 2.1 million people are highly vulnerable and could slide into crisis if no appropriate support is provided between now and the end of the year. This situation must be addressed urgently. As we enter the last third of the year, more than half a billion US dollars are still required for life-saving activities. Decisive measures will be required to ensure that we do not jeopardize the people of Somalia's unique chance in 25 years to enjoy a more safe, stable and prosperous outlook.
For further information, please contact: Michelle Delaney, Public Information Officer, OCHA Somalia,
[email protected],+254-(0)731043156 Cecilia Attefors, Reports Officer, OCHA Somalia,
[email protected],+254-(0)733770766
The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
