6.6 mn people in Somalia still face humanitarian crisis: Report

Mogadishu, April 26 Nearly 6.6 million people in Somalia still face crisis or worse acute food insecurity outcomes despite relative improvement in rainfall forecast and decline in food prices, the UN-backed report showed.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said levels of acute food insecurity remain very high in Somalia through at least June, with 39 per cent of the total population in need of urgent humanitarian assistance despite the decline in the risk of famine over the same period, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Sharply rising food prices since mid-2021 have been one of the key drivers of worsening acute food insecurity in most parts of Somalia," said the IPC.

According to the IPC, the previously estimated total burden of acute malnutrition among children under five years of age remains valid, with approximately 1.8 million children expected to be acutely malnourished in Somalia from January to December 2023, including 477,700 who are projected to be severely malnourished.

"To prevent worsening of food insecurity and nutrition outcomes, additional coordinated funding is urgently needed for scaling up and sustaining high levels of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance that includes food security, nutrition, health, and WASH interventions through at least June 2023, and likely through late 2023," it said.

According to the IPC, improved humanitarian access and coverage in areas affected by insecurity and conflict is also essential to reach populations in greatest need.

"Providing timely support to poor farmers to take advantage of the ongoing Gu season rainfall is recommended," said the report, adding that in addition to scaled-up and sustained humanitarian assistance, complementary recovery and development assistance are required to address the underlying cause of acute food insecurity and malnutrition and rebuild livelihood.

An updated forecast for the April to June Gu season points to a relatively better seasonal rainfall than previously anticipated across most parts of Somalia.

The IPC report, however, said floods due to heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers in March have also been reported in Gedo and other regions in southern Somalia, killing scores of people, displacing tens of thousands, and destroying property.