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Somalia

Radio Ergo Weekly Feedback Report, Issued: 14 July 2023

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Brief Analysis

Many calls to Radio Ergo's independent feedback platform during the period 30 June to 12 July 2023 focused on livelihood issues, seeking information and advice on farming and livestock matters. A large number called in to report and celebrate rainfall in their areas. A bigger number than in previous weeks called to complain about drought and water shortage. Some callers mentioned lack of jobs and other hardships in their area or camps. The following summarises the calls by theme.

Agriculture -- a large number of callers from various areas had questions for Radio Ergo's weekly farming programme experts, especially concerning attacks by crops pests. A caller in Beletweyne and another in Jowhar called to say they were happy that their crops were growing.

Livestock -- livestock owners called with questions about diseases mainly affecting goats and camels, as well as chickens. A female caller in Hiran said their only problem was that their camels were dying after giving birth and they needed help with this. A pastoralist in Jowhar said 10 of his 60 camels had runny noses and diarrhoea. A caller in Deynile, Banadir, said they were IDPs and they wanted to know what was killing their chickens.

Environment -- a caller in Galkayo, Mudug, was concerned about the cutting of trees in the area and wanted action against deforestation. A caller in Bardera, Gedo, said trees and vegetations were being cleared for settlements and this should be stopped across Somalia.

Locusts -- one caller in Abudwak, Galgadud, and another in Sahawanag, Mudug, called for control measures against swarms of locusts devouring crops and grazing.

Floods -- a few callers in Beletweyne, Hiran, and Middle Shabelle wanted help with problems caused by river flooding.

IDPs/Aid -- a female caller in Kismayo said they were pastoralists who had lost their livestock and moved to El-Jalle IDP camps, where they were suffering and were appealing for help. A female caller in Galkayo said they needed shelter in the camps where they were living in the rainy season. A caller in Gidheys, Galgadud, called on aid agencies including WFP to restore food cards.

**Food Security **-- A female caller in Bardera, Gedo, said they were very happy to have harvested sorghum. A caller in Mudug said the people and livestock there were doing well. A caller in Balanbale, Galgadud, said high inflation had hit business and prices should be stabilised. Two callers in Adale, M. Shabelle, complained of lack of fish in the sea and high tides. A caller in Jowhar said the economy and people's health there was good. Two female callers in Beletweyne said the youth had no jobs. One said she was a mother of four young men who were all unemployed.

Health/Education -- a caller in Badhan, Sanag, said they needed health services in the area. A caller in Salahley, Marodi-Jeh, said the government should attend to the poor sanitation in the area. A female caller in Gedo said there was a food shortage and also a concerning lack of medicines that the government should help with. A caller in Abudwak said there was a lack of health centres and schools in the area. A caller in Galkayo said they were doing well now and students were going to school.

Conflict -- two callers in Garowe were concerned by clan conflicts there and hoped for peace. A caller in Abudwak said clan conflict there had led to displacement.

**Drought/WASH -- **a caller in Sool asked for government help to deal with water shortage. In Bari, a caller in Bosaso said people had left the area due to drought and high temperatures and another in Alula said they faced water shortage. In Mudug, callers in Arfuda and Dagari said they needed aid to cope with drought and water shortage. A caller in Qoryolley, L. Shabelle, said people had abandoned their farms due to lack of water. Another in Hirshabelle said they had planted crops but wells were running dry. Several others in unspecified southern/central regions reported drought and water scarcity.

Rainfall -- a number of callers across different regions reported beneficial rainfall. For example, a caller in Beletweyne said people, livestock and farms were doing well after rain. A caller in Dusamareb said had received rainfall there after migrating from El-timiro. Several callers in Garowe welcomed rainfall after a long dry season.