Attachments
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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An anticipated El Niño climate has the potential to negatively affect approximately 1.2 million people in Somalia this year. Major health risks include outbreak of diseases. (FAO).
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The enduring conflict has caused widespread displacement. Among the 1,420,000 newly displaced people nationwide. In 2023, 569,000 people were displaced by conflict and insecurities. The government aims to further its offensive against non-state actors in Somalia’s Galmudug state, a situation that is likely to worsen displacements.
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Cholera continues to be the major public health risk in the country with new cluster of cases confirmed in Burhakaba district in August 2023
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A single-dose reactive cholera vaccination campaign was conducted in 5 districts in Jubaland state reaching 589,537 people aged one year and above.
Situation Updates
Conflict and climate hazards continue to drive humanitarian needs in Somalia. Over eight million people currently require humanitarian assistance (OCHA 08/02/2023). The Somali Government’s counter-insurgency operations against Al-Shabaab and tensions following clan disputes continue to cause insecurity and displacement. Among the 1,420,000 newly displaced people nationwide in 2023, 569,000 were displaced by conflict and insecurities. The government aims to further its offensive against Al-Shabab in Somalia’s Galmudug state, a situation that is likely to worsen displacements. At the end of 2022, conflict, drought, and floods had displaced over 3.8 million people within Somalia and into neighboring countries. The majority of IDPs live in Banadir, Galgaduud, Gedo, and Hiran regions. During the first half of 2023 alone 531,000 people were displaced due to conflict and insecurity.
There is an increasing probability of El Niño, given the multi-model rainfall forecast, which means excessive rains and floods in Somalia are likely to occur in the last quarter of 2023. The projection has more than 90% certainty, calling on mitigation, preparedness, and early action. Major risk areas are the riverine districts along the main two rivers, the Juba and Shabelle. Potential El-Nino rains could lead to loss of lives, population displacement, destruction of infrastructure i.e health facilities, homes and WASH infrastructure. The El Niño phenomenon could further aggravate the humanitarian situation particularly among the IDPs across the country, which could lead to disease outbreaks and disruption of basic services such as clean water. In addition it would likely disrupt logistics, further hindering humanitarian access to the vulnerable communities. It is critical that humanitarian assistance is sustained to leverage gains made in recent multisectoral responses. Inadequate humanitarian coverage could further exacerbate existing dire situations, resulting in diseases outbreaks, disruption of health services and further displacement. Additional funding is needed to enable the health cluster partners to continue providing basic health services and responding to emerging public health risks that will come with El-Nino or flash floods.