HIGHLIGHTS

• New study shows that over a quarter of a million people died from food insecurity and famine between late 2010 and early 2012 and underlines the need to heed early warnings.

• Seasonal rains bring relief, but localized flooding displaces 50,000 people and kills seven.

• Somalis return home from neighbouring countries albeit at slow pace. About 16,000 people have returned from Kenya in 2013.

Issued on 27 March

Situation overview

I. Key Messages

1 The humanitarian situation in Somalia has continued to improve since the famine, but 1 million people are still in crisis. Continued humanitarian assistance is required to help these most vulnerable people and consolidate the gains to prevent future crises

The March to May Gu rains are expected to be ‘normal’ to ‘below normal’ according to the latest data from the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET). With the rains expected to be average to below average, the food insecure population will likely increase although slightly. The primary areas most likely to be affected are the maize growing agro- pastoral areas of the South.

Issued on 27 February

Situation overview

The number of people in ‘crisis’ reduced by 50 percent to 1 million in the last half of 2012 based on the latest data from the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET). However,

HIGHLIGHTS

• People in food security crisis reduced by half, but gains could reverse without humanitarian support.

• The Government of Somalia plans to relocate internally displaced people from centre of Mogadishu.

• Aid workers visit and deliver aid in areas where access has been limited.

The acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Stefano Porretti, welcomed the news that the number of people in crisis in Somalia has halved to 1.05 million, but cautioned that gains could be reversed without sustained aid

Situation overview

The level of humanitarian assistance delivered in December and throughout 2012 remained high, with 1.2 million people receiving food and 1.6 million accessing clean water on average every month. Humanitarians were able to reach a good portion of the targeted population in need also due to gradual improvements in access to several areas in southern Somalia. Partners stepped up interventions in Baidoa, Marka, Afmadow and Kismaayo.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Food insecure population in eastern Africa to decrease by over 1 million

• Cholera, malaria and yellow fever outbreaks confirmed

• Intercommunal clashes in Kenya claim over 477 lives since January 2012

• Increased international presence facilitates aid delivery in secured areas of Somalia

• Conflict has displaced over 5,000 Congolese into Uganda and South Sudan and 8,000 Sudanese into South Sudan