ReliefWeb

The Somali civilian population in South and Central Somalia faces a desperate humanitarian situation. In July and August this year, the United Nations declared famine in six areas of southern and central Somalia: Bakool, Bay, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, the Afgooye corridor displaced persons’ settlement, and the Mogadishu displaced community.

The humanitarian crisis has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, in majority children. It now affects some four million people, including three million living in South and Central Somalia, and is predicted to worsen, with the onset of the rainy season. Aid agencies are concerned that contagious diseases, including cholera and measles, will spread further.

Amnesty International urges the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach to address Somalia’s humanitarian and human rights crises. At this critical time, Somali civilians who bear the brunt of both crises need humanitarian aid on a large scale urgently. Their protection needs must be international community’ priority.