Horn of Africa: Humanitarian Impacts of Drought – Issue 7 (30 June 2017)

Somalia: An estimated 761,000 Somalis have been internally displaced by drought between November 2016 and 23 June 2017. More than 22,000 displacements were recorded between 1 and 23 June, of whom 13,500 individuals arrived in Baidoa town from remote villages in Berdaale, Dinsoor and Qansahdhere districts in Bay region and Rabdhuure district in Bakool. The cities of Baidoa (174,280) and Mogadishu (161,100) host 44% of these displaced people. As of 23 June, 16,300 IDPs are reported to have returned to their places of origin in Bay and Bakool regions, with 60% of them returning in June. In 2017, 29,087 Somali refugees returned to Somalia. In May alone, 3,769 Somali refugees returned – 3,158 from Kenya, 417 from Yemen, and 197 from Djibouti.

Ethiopia: There are 843,367 internally displaced people in Ethiopia, more than half of them in the Somali region.

Kenya: 39,000 people remain displaced due to conflict over resources, insecurity and drought.

Kenya: Since January, 924 cholera cases and nine deaths (CFR 1%) have been reported in 11 counties, with the outbreak remaining active in five counties (Garissa, Nairobi, Murang’a, Turkana and Narok). Dengue fever outbreaks are reported in Mombasa and Wajir counties, with 1,073 cases and one death. A total of 19 measles cases have been reported in Garissa (Dadaab refugee camps) and Mandera counties. Kala-azar outbreaks have been reported in Marsabit and Wajir, resulting in 253 cases and seven deaths, with only Wajir continuing to report new cases.

Somalia: 53,015 suspected AWD/cholera cases and 795 deaths (CFR 1.5%) have been recorded in 52 districts across 16 regions since January. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Nearly 11,800 measles cases have been reported since the beginning of the year through to June. Almost half of these cases are children under age five.

Ethiopia: 36,750 AWD cases and 780 deaths (CFR 2.1%) have been reported in six regions since January. Across the country, 2,119 suspected measles cases have been reported.

Kenya: Between January and May 2017, 42,579 SAM and 89,214 MAM children received treatment in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) counties, urban centres and refugee camps. A mid-season assessment undertaken in May indicates that the nutrition situation remains acute and of grave concern across the ASALs. This is confirmed through screening activities and an increase in the number of admissions in the integrated management of acute malnutrition programmes.

Somalia: 126,000 SAM and 218,600 MAM cases have been admitted for treatment since January. GAM rates are 15 to 30% among communities in Sool, Sanaag Bari and Nugaal and IDPs in Baidoa and Mogadishu. Survey results released in June by Save the Children, Concern Worldwide and Action Against Hunger, show that severe acute malnutrition cases have skyrocketed in half of the nine districts assessed.

Ethiopia: According to the Nutrition Cluster, at least 110,676 severely malnourished children under five were treated between January and April, exceeding the projected SAM caseload for the first quarter of the year. While overall SAM admission trends are on decrease, drought affected zones in Oromia, SNNP and Somali report increasing admissions. Somali region continues to report the highest SAM rates, with 6,795 new admissions in April (83%). Rising admissions are mainly reported in Doolo, Jarar, Shabelle, lower Fafan and parts of Korahe.