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Somalia + 3 more

Horn of Africa: Humanitarian Impacts of Drought – Issue 8 (18 July 2017)

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Rainfall

In Somalia there are unfavourable prospects for this year's main Gu crops, after the Gu rains were late and poorly distributed over most areas of the country. In the Lower Shabelle region, the main maize producing area, seasonal rainfall was about 50 per cent belowaverage with drought conditions currently affecting up to 85 per cent of the cropland.

In Ethiopia, some above-average precipitations in May were not sufficient to completely offset the severe moisture deficits and, according to Agribusiness Systems International (ASI), between 25 and 85 per cent of the cropland is currently affected by drought. Due to late onset of rains, the “belg” harvest, normally gathered in June/July and the “meher” October harvest expected to be below-average.

In Kenya the March to May long rains were late by 10-20 days across the south east with delays of up to 40 days in some parts. Most areas received below-average rainfall, ranging from 50 – 75 per cent of normal, while the northern part of Meru received only 25 – 50 per cent of normal rainfall.

Food Security

Somalia: 3.2 million people are facing crisis (IPC Phase 3) and emergency levels (IPC Phase 4) of food insecurity. An estimated 2.5 to 3 million people will remain in need of emergency humanitarian assistance though the end 2017. An elevated risk of famine (IPC Phase 5) persists due to severe food consumption gaps, high acute malnutrition and high disease burden. The Gu rains (April-June) provided relief in some areas, but the rainy season was shorter than normal and generally poor, including in areas with high levels of vulnerability such as Bakool and northern Bay regions.

Ethiopia: Following poor performing spring rains, the number of people receiving humanitarian assistance has increased from 5.6 million to 7.8 million in the first quarter of the year and is expected to heighten further in the second half of the year.

Kenya: 2.6 million people are in need of assistance as a result of the drought. Based on the mid season assessment report at the beginning of May, it is forecasted that by August the food insecurity population might increase between 3 and 3.5 million.

Displacement

Somalia: An estimated 761,000 Somalis have been internally displaced by drought between November 2016 and 5 July 2017.

Ethiopia: According to the National Flood Task Force, 500,000 people are expected to be displaced by flooding during the summer/kiremt season. Out of the one million people displaced, IOM identified some 72,000 households or 400,000 people currently displaced due to the ongoing drought conditions. Since January 2017, 5,163 new Somali refugees arrived in Melkadida, Somali region and 34,958 new South Sudanese refuges arrived in the Gambella region. A number of people have also sought refuge directly within host communities.

Kenya: Kenya continues to receive an increased number of refugees from South Sudan, with 10,772 new arrivals from South Sudan since January 2017. The majority of new arrivals (69.7%) are from Central Equatoria.

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