Attachments
Brief Analysis
Among the feedback messages recorded on Radio Ergo's independent, nationwide call-in platform this week (1-7 February 2024), a number of callers spoke abut health concerns, including diarrhoeal diseases, measles, malnutrition, malaria, and a widespread illness with coughing symptoms. Price rises and food shortages were also a concern among callers. There were a number of callers citing water shortage and drought, notably in Sanag region, where some also reported locust invasions. Many livestock owners called with complaints about livestock diseases especially from the regions of Sanag, Bari, and central Somalia. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Health -- callers from Sool and Sahil in the north and Mudug in central Somalia complained about a widespread disease with symptoms including coughing, fever and joint pain. A female caller in Guriel said they needed treatment for children suffering from measles and malnutrition. A female caller in Kismayo, Lower Juba, said they needed help in dealing with the health crisis in the area due to the spread of acute watery diarrhoea. Another said mothers were concerned by their children getting a fever after being vaccinated and she wanted to know the best way to curb fever. [Radio Ergo will respond to this informational request on its Radio Doctor programme]. A caller in Baidoa asked for local spraying of mosquitoes.
Aid, IDPs -- a female caller [using a Telsom number but no location mentioned] said they used to be very happy receiving cash aid from the federal government Bahnano safety net fund, but the money had stopped. She wanted to know why they had not received anyting for the past 4-5 months. A female caller in All-amin IDP camp in Abudwak said people were dumping waste where they lived and that they had no plots to grow farm crops - she asked for help. A caller in Galkayo said IDPs there had been neglected by aid agencies and needed assistance. A caller in Qalafe, Ethiopia's Somali Region, said they had no food, water, or shelter and needed aid.
Food shortage & Prices -- a female caller in Erigabo, Sanag, said she and her children lacked food. She said she couldn't feed her baby any more as her breast milk had dried up. Another Sanag caller said they were worried about food and water shortages and wanted the message to be passed on to aid agencies. Two callers in Badhan, Sanag, said the prices of basic food had gone up making it hard to afford food. They also mentioned drought and water scarcity. A female caller in Dadmaren, Togdher, also complained about high prices for food.
Water shortage/Drought -- a number of callers in Sanag complained of water shortage and drought, including in El-Afweyne, Badhan, and Erigabo. In Bari region, callers in Bosaso said they had a water shortage and needed help with water and also to create employment in the area. In Sahil, a female caller said their water was contaminated and causing diarrhoea among the community. She wanted her message shared to get help. A caller in Guriel said they faced water shortage and needed boreholes to cover their needs. A caller in Ada-kibir, Galgadud, asked for help to repair or replace broken water pumps in the area. He also wanted tree-cutting to be stopped. A caller in Kismayo complained that water was scarce and contaminated and unfit for drinking.
Locusts -- locust invasions were reported by several callers in Sanag region in the north. Some of the callers simultaneously complained about water shortage and drought conditions. Callers in El-Afweyn said the locust swarms had been attacking farms and destroying crops. A caller in Goof said his farm had been invaded and they need control measures against the locusts.
Livestock -- many herders especially in northern and central regions complained about diseases and asked for information, advice and treatments. [Some callers will be included in Radio Ergo's weekly Radio Vet programme with experts]. Meanwhile, a female caller in Baarlef asked the Galmudug authorities to deal with insecurity and bandits stealing livestock.
Flood Recovery -- in Beletweyne, Hiran, a female caller thanked Radio Ergo for the informational services and said people had returned to their homes after the floods. Another caller said people were returning home and the cases of diarrhoea were reducing. A caller in Baidoa said they had now recovered after the floods.