Somalia may be on the verge of another famine
3 years ago

Somalia may be on the verge of another famine

Al Jazeera  

In July 2011, the United Nations declared a famine in Somalia which attracted the attention of major news outlets across the globe. While the UN’s announcement helped mobilise people and governments across the world, the international community perceived it as having come too late, leading to a delayed scaling up of humanitarian assistance. In November, a widely respected Nairobi-based religious leader, Sheikh Umal, also started to call on people to raise money to support drought-affected populations in Kenya and Somalia. Dangerous delay We cannot be 100 percent sure that there will be a famine in 2022, but there are already ominous signs and we know that given the current circumstances in Somalia and abroad, the humanitarian response could be potentially severely delayed. The funds required are miniscule in comparison with those already mobilised to mitigate the pandemic, but they can go a long way in saving Somali lives., Early action can also help set a precedent for famine prevention, which should be established as a standard humanitarian response, especially given climate change-related projections for worsening water scarcity in Somalia and the Horn of Africa as a whole.

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History of this topic

War and climate change are overwhelming Somalia
4 months ago

War and climate change are overwhelming Somalia

Hindustan Times  

AS THE SUN beats down on the dusty yellow soil and a cluster of tin shacks near the city of Galkayo, in central Somalia, mothers point to their children, looking on shyly. “If anyone doesn’t believe in climate change, this is clear testimony that it is happening,” says El-Khidir Daloum, the WFP’s country director for Somalia. “The Somali people didn’t …

UN says Somalia faces a `dire hunger emergency’ but aid has been cut over lack of funding
1 year, 6 months ago

UN says Somalia faces a `dire hunger emergency’ but aid has been cut over lack of funding

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Somalia’s “dire hunger emergency” is spiraling upward with one-third of the population expected to face crisis or worse levels of food needs, but the U.N. has been forced to drastically cut food assistance because of a lack of funding, the head of the World Food Program said Thursday. Cindy McCain told the U.N. Security Council the latest …

Nearly half children among over 40,000 dead in Somalia drought last year
1 year, 9 months ago

Nearly half children among over 40,000 dead in Somalia drought last year

Hindustan Times  

A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died amid the longest drought on record in Somalia last year and half of them likely were children. “The current crisis is far from over,” says the report released Monday by the World Health Organization and the United Nations children’s agency and carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical …

Somalia drought may have killed 43,000 in 2022, half under 5: UN
1 year, 9 months ago

Somalia drought may have killed 43,000 in 2022, half under 5: UN

Al Jazeera  

After five consecutive failed rainy seasons, rate of fatalities could rise in first half of 2023, research finds. Somalia’s ongoing record drought may have killed as many as 43,000 people last year, and half of them were children under the age of five, according to a report released by the government and United Nations agencies. “These results present a grim …

An estimated 43,000 people died in Somalia drought last year, U.N. report says
1 year, 9 months ago

An estimated 43,000 people died in Somalia drought last year, U.N. report says

LA Times  

People arrive at a camp for the displaced on the outskirts of Dollow, Somalia. A United Nations report estimates that 43,000 people died amid the longest drought on record in Somalia last year, half of whom were probably children. The U.N. and partners earlier this year said they were no longer forecasting a formal famine declaration for Somalia for now …

Somalia drought ‘extremely critical’ but no famine projected
1 year, 10 months ago

Somalia drought ‘extremely critical’ but no famine projected

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — Food security experts say life remains “extremely critical” for more than 6 million hungry people in Somalia’s historic drought, but they no longer project famine for the worst-hit population of nearly a quarter-million people between April and June. The assessment only slightly eases the warnings of acute food insecurity as the Horn of Africa faces the possibility …

Drought in Horn of Africa worse than in 2011 famine
1 year, 10 months ago

Drought in Horn of Africa worse than in 2011 famine

Al Jazeera  

Below-normal rainfall is expected during the rainy season over the next three months in parts of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, a climate research centre says. “In parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda that have been most affected by the recent drought, this could be the 6th failed consecutive rainfall season,” it said. While famine thresholds have not been reached, …

US urges donors to give far more as Somalia faces famine
1 year, 11 months ago

US urges donors to give far more as Somalia faces famine

Associated Press  

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The first U.S. Cabinet member to visit Somalia since 2015 urged the world’s distracted donors Sunday to give immediate help to a country facing deadly famine, which she calls “the ultimate failure of the international community.” The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, heard perhaps the starkest warning yet about the crisis: Excess deaths during …

US urges donors to give far more as Somalia faces famine
1 year, 11 months ago

US urges donors to give far more as Somalia faces famine

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Cabinet member to visit Somalia since 2015 urged the …

Concern grows over a food crisis and potential famine in Somalia
2 years ago

Concern grows over a food crisis and potential famine in Somalia

NPR  

Concern grows over a food crisis and potential famine in Somalia ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: In East Africa, there's growing concern that a food crisis could lead to famine in Somalia. Adding to the complexity of the food crisis in Somalia, the militant Islamist group al-Shabaab has banned international relief agencies or the government from distributing food aid in the areas …

The U.N. says parts of Somalia may experience famine within months
2 years ago

The U.N. says parts of Somalia may experience famine within months

NPR  

The U.N. says parts of Somalia may experience famine within months Somalia faces a major food crisis and the U.N. warns parts of the country could be in a full famine by April. MARTÍNEZ: NPR's Jason Beaubien is in the southern Somali city of Baidoa, which is one of the places that the U.N. warns could suffer a famine in …

Famine averted but situation ‘catastrophic’ in Somalia: UN
2 years ago

Famine averted but situation ‘catastrophic’ in Somalia: UN

Al Jazeera  

If aid is not scaled up, famine is expected in southern Somalia between April and June 2023, humanitarians say. The report said more than 8 million people face “an unprecedented level of need” after five consecutive failed rainy seasons and “exceptionally high” food prices. “The underlying crisis has not improved.” The report indicated surging numbers of people at the highest …

Somalia not yet in famine but still in danger, report says
2 years ago

Somalia not yet in famine but still in danger, report says

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — Somalia has not yet fallen into famine but several parts of the country are in danger of it in the coming months, according to a new food security report on the Horn of Africa’s worst drought in decades. The report says the “most likely scenario” will see more than 700,000 people in famine between April and June …

Somalia battles hunger as it braces for famine during a prolonged drought
2 years ago

Somalia battles hunger as it braces for famine during a prolonged drought

NPR  

Somalia battles hunger as it braces for famine during a prolonged drought Enlarge this image toggle caption Luke Dray for NPR Luke Dray for NPR MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia typically gets two rainy seasons per year. The United Nations warns that next year, nearly half of Somalia's population could be in what it labels a "critical food crisis," with full-on …

Food crisis in Somalia claims young lives
2 years, 1 month ago

Food crisis in Somalia claims young lives

The Hindu  

Published : Nov 23, 2022 16:36 IST Oxygen machines beep and people whisper at the intensive care unit of Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. “We have half a million children that are severely acutely malnourished, which means that if they don’t receive timely assistance they are just simply going to die,” says Wafaa Saeed, the UNICEF representative for Somalia. …

UN: Almost 1 million drought-hit Somalis in al-Shabab areas
2 years, 2 months ago

UN: Almost 1 million drought-hit Somalis in al-Shabab areas

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — The United Nations says close to 1 million drought-affected people in Somalia are in areas under the control or influence of the al-Shabab extremist group, and it appealed to the fighters to allow humanitarian access as famine threatens the country. The U.N. secretary-general’s special representative in Somalia, James Swan, told journalists Wednesday that the 900,000 people in …

Food shock: Crop-battering disasters highlight climate threat
2 years, 2 months ago

Food shock: Crop-battering disasters highlight climate threat

The Hindu  

Rolling crises linked to war, weather disasters and the pandemic have shaken global food systems and tipped millions into hunger and poverty. Others, like floods, can cause sudden "devastation of livelihoods and infrastructure", said Rachel Bezner Kerr, professor at Cornell University and a lead author of the UN's landmark IPCC report on climate impacts. Since then, record temperatures withered crops …

Somalia faces worst famine in half a century, UN warns
2 years, 2 months ago

Somalia faces worst famine in half a century, UN warns

Al Jazeera  

UN says a child is being admitted for medical treatment for malnutrition every minute in Somalia as drought worsens. Somalia faces famine on a scale last seen half a century ago, the United Nations has said as it set a new target of more than $2bn in funding needs. “Things are bad and every sign indicates that they are going …

EXPLAINER: A look at famine and its toll as Somalia at risk
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: A look at famine and its toll as Somalia at risk

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Within weeks, a famine could …

EXPLAINER: A look at famine and its toll as Somalia at risk
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: A look at famine and its toll as Somalia at risk

Associated Press  

DOLLOW, Somalia — Within weeks, a famine could be declared in Somalia, affecting more than 850,000 people in two of the country’s worst drought-affected areas plus thousands of people in displacement camps. Formal famine declarations by the United Nations and partners, including food security experts, are rare because data to meet the benchmarks often cannot be obtained because of conflict, …

‘So many children dying’: Catastrophic drought in Somalia brings threat of famine
2 years, 3 months ago

‘So many children dying’: Catastrophic drought in Somalia brings threat of famine

LA Times  

A woman and her children carry water at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Dollow, Somalia, on Sept. 20. A rare famine declaration could be made as soon as this month, the first significant one anywhere in the world since Somalia’s famine in 2011. “We’d bury them beside the road.” She holds her naked 1-year-old in front …

A look at famine and its toll as Somalia faces rare, dire declaration
2 years, 3 months ago

A look at famine and its toll as Somalia faces rare, dire declaration

LA Times  

Within weeks, a famine could be declared in Somalia, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Within weeks, a famine could be declared in Somalia, affecting more than 850,000 people in two of the country’s worst drought-affected areas plus thousands of people in displacement camps. Formal famine declarations by the U.N. and partners, including food security experts, are rare because data …

Hunger now killing one person every four seconds, NGOs say
2 years, 3 months ago

Hunger now killing one person every four seconds, NGOs say

Al Jazeera  

In an open letter addressing world leaders, more than 200 NGOs urge decisive international action to ‘end the spiralling global hunger crisis’. One person is estimated to be dying of hunger every four seconds, more than 200 NGOs have warned, urging decisive international action to “end the spiralling global hunger crisis”. Pointing out that as many as 19,700 people are …

Drought and hunger in Somalia, Ethiopia and region: What to know
2 years, 4 months ago

Drought and hunger in Somalia, Ethiopia and region: What to know

Al Jazeera  

Millions of people in the Horn of Africa are facing food shortages due to the worst drought in 40 years and rising global food costs. Millions of people are facing food insecurity, as scientists and aid groups warned that Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia could be experiencing their worst drought in 40 years this October-December with drier-than-average conditions predicted. Last month, …

More than 700 children have died in Somalia nutrition centres: UN
2 years, 4 months ago

More than 700 children have died in Somalia nutrition centres: UN

Al Jazeera  

The Horn of Africa is on track for a fifth-consecutive failed rainy season and UNICEF has warned of a coming famine in parts of Somalia. Hundreds of children have already died in nutrition centres across Somalia, the United Nations children’s agency said on Tuesday, a day after it warned that parts of Somalia will be hit by famine in the …

UN says part of Somalia will reach famine later this year
2 years, 4 months ago

UN says part of Somalia will reach famine later this year

Associated Press  

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United Nations says “famine is at the door” in Somalia with “concrete indications” famine will occur later this year in the southern Bay region. “I couldn’t get out of my head the tiny mounds of ground marking children’s graves,” UNICEF’s deputy regional director Rania Dagash said last week. And so many people were arriving each day.” …

UN humanitarian chief says ‘famine at the door’ in Somalia
2 years, 4 months ago

UN humanitarian chief says ‘famine at the door’ in Somalia

Al Jazeera  

At least 1 million people in Somalia have been displaced by the worst drought in decades, driven by climate change. The UN humanitarian chief has warned that parts of Somalia are on the brink of famine after being hit by four failed rainy seasons that have caused a devastating drought. In a statement on Monday, Martin Griffiths, head of the …

‘Only God can help': Hundreds die as Somalia faces famine
2 years, 7 months ago

‘Only God can help': Hundreds die as Somalia faces famine

Associated Press  

MOGADISHU, Somalia — No mother should have to lose her child. More broadly, at least 448 people died this year at outpatient and in-patient malnutrition treatment centers across Somalia through April, according to data compiled by humanitarian groups and local authorities. Mortality surveys conducted in parts of Somalia in December and again in April and May by the U.N.’s Food …

'Only God can help': Hundreds die as Somalia faces famine
2 years, 7 months ago

'Only God can help': Hundreds die as Somalia faces famine

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. More broadly, at least 448 …

UN humanitarian official urges attention to drought in Kenya
2 years, 7 months ago

UN humanitarian official urges attention to drought in Kenya

Associated Press  

TURKANA, Kenya — A top United Nations humanitarian official has raised concern about people going hungry in a remote part of northern Kenya, joining calls for the international community to commit more resources to address the wider region’s drought crisis. “And the world’s misery has not left Turkana, and the world’s rains have not come to Turkana, and we’ve seen …

Explained | How grave is the drought emergency in Somalia?
2 years, 8 months ago

Explained | How grave is the drought emergency in Somalia?

The Hindu  

Rains in Somalia have ‘faltered’ for three consecutive seasons, with some areas experiencing it on as many as four occasions till date. As per the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit’s estimates, 4.1 million people in Somalia would require urgent humanitarian assistance between February and June 2022. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s latest report says persistent insecurity, conflict, and …

WFP: 20 million risk starvation as Horn of Africa drought worsens
2 years, 8 months ago

WFP: 20 million risk starvation as Horn of Africa drought worsens

Al Jazeera  

Extreme drought has left the Horn of Africa on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, aid workers say. Twenty million people are at risk of starvation this year as delayed rains worsen an already brutal drought in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, the United Nations has warned. As long-awaited rains fail to materialise nearly a month into the current rainy season, …

Fleeing drought, hunger, thousands trek to Somalia’s capital
2 years, 10 months ago

Fleeing drought, hunger, thousands trek to Somalia’s capital

Associated Press  

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Sitting under the hot sun, hungry women and children await food aid in a camp on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Somalia’s government in November declared a state of humanitarian emergency due to the drought, with the worst affected parts including the south-central areas of Lower Jubba, Geddo and Lower Shabelle regions. “The impact on families …

Somalia hit by worst drought crisis in a decade: NGO
2 years, 11 months ago

Somalia hit by worst drought crisis in a decade: NGO

Al Jazeera  

In a new report, Save the Children sounds alarm over a humanitarian disaster as millions go hungry. Somalia is experiencing its worst drought crisis in a decade, with millions going hungry and many being forced from their homes in search of food and water, according to a new report by Save the Children. The international charity’s latest humanitarian assessment, which …

Somalia in the face of famine
2 years, 11 months ago

Somalia in the face of famine

Al Jazeera  

With another dry season in Somalia, the country could see famine again. Famine is a slow-moving disaster and when it is declared, people are typically already dying of starvation. Much of Somalia is facing its third dry season which is bad news for crops, animals, and people. In this episode: Aydrus Daar, executive director at WASDA, a Somali aid group …

UN sounds alarm on Somalia’s ‘rapidly worsening’ drought
3 years, 1 month ago

UN sounds alarm on Somalia’s ‘rapidly worsening’ drought

Al Jazeera  

The drought has already forced an estimated 100,000 people to flee their homes in search of food, water and pasture for their livestock. Somalia’s “rapidly worsening” drought has left more than two million people facing severe food and water shortages, the United Nations has warned. “About 2.3 million people in 57 of 74 districts – nearly 20 per cent of …

UN food agency: 45 million people on the edge of famine
3 years, 2 months ago

UN food agency: 45 million people on the edge of famine

Al Jazeera  

The UN agency says global hunger spiked by three million within a year, with conflict, climate change and COVID main driving factors. The United Nations food agency has said that the number of people on the edge of famine across 43 countries had risen to 45 million, as acute hunger spikes around the world. The jump from 42 million people …

‘Countdown to catastrophe’ in Yemen as UN again warns of famine
4 years, 1 month ago

‘Countdown to catastrophe’ in Yemen as UN again warns of famine

Al Jazeera  

‘Yemenis not going hungry, they are being starved,’ says United Nations as it warns of looming famine. A previous version of this article stated that UN World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley had said: "Yemenis are not 'going hungry', they are being starved." “We are on a countdown right now to a catastrophe,” UN World Food Programme Executive Director …

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