Attachments
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
-
Somalia’s humanitarian situation in 2023 remains dire with 6.5 million individuals face acute food insecurity, and 1.3 million are displaced due to conflict or climatic shocks.
-
During the first half of 2023, moderate to heavy rains and rivers flowing from Ethiopia caused flash and riverine floods in multiple regions of Somalia, affecting 468,000 people and displacing 247,000 people from their homes.
-
MSF has halted it activities in Lascanood general hospital due to the escalating violence and recurring security incidents that have compromised the safe delivery of medical care.
-
Increased AWD/cholera spike have been seen in the first half of 2023 with over11,704 cumulative cases reported in 28 districts.
Situation Updates
The Somali population continues to face multiple challenges such as climatic shocks, conflict, flash and riverine floods, and armed conflict. Displacement due to drought, floods and conflict is having a devastating impact on the most vulnerable and is increasing protection and health risks. Conflicts on multiple frontlines, coupled with ongoing military operations, continue to displace civilians and limit access to those in need. Despite the challenging operational context and the increasingly difficult funding environment, humanitarian assistance and protection services are saving lives and reaching vulnerable people that are in need.
The Gu rains that began in April and the consequent flooding of rivers flowing from Ethiopia have had a serious impact on 468,000 people living in Beletweyne and other districts. The flooding has displaced 247,000 people and destroyed and contaminated 97 per cent of the water sources in Beletweyne town, Hirshabelle state.
Cholera outbreaks continue to pose health risk in the country,with over 11,708 suspected cholera cases reported in 28 drought-affected districts in the first half of the year. The number of cholera cases reported in drought-affected districts has considerably increased in 2023 compared to the same time period in the previous two years. In 2023, 11,708 cases of suspected cholera and 28 deaths (Case Fatality Rate 0.3 per cent) were reported, of which 6,315 (54 per cent) were children under the age of five, 6,023 (51 per cent) were women and 5,557 (47 per cent) were severe cases.
Since January 2023, the districts with the highest number of reported cholera cases include Belet Hawa, with 2,654 cases, followed by Kismayo with 1,575 cases, Afgoye with 1,052 cases, and Afmadow with 899 cases. On the same period 3,006 suspected measles cases have been reported throughout the country since January 2023. During the reporting period of July 97 confirmed measles cases were reported, the cases were reported from the following state: Hir-Shabelle (44), Banadir (20), Southwest (16), Jubaland (12) and Galmudug (05).