The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains fragile.
Since mid-July, an estimated 18,000 people have fled their homes due to ongoing military operations in parts of southern and central Somalia. This is in addition to 1.1 million people already displaced around the country. At the same time, more people fleeing the conflict in Yemen is increasing the burden on already limited basic services. Furthermore, floods are anticipated in the coming weeks due to the expected El Niño phenomenon.
Influx of returnees to Somalia from Yemen
Since March 2015, close to 29,000 people have arrived in Somalia from Yemen, 90 per cent of whom are Somalis with more expected to arrive in the coming months. Three quarters of the arrivals are children and women. Approximately 17,100 people have been registered at the reception centres established jointly by humanitarian organizations and local authorities.
Humanitarian actors are providing assistance to the newly arrived, including accommodation for up to three nights, non-food items, water, food, health care, and protection assistance. An estimated 8,300 of the most vulnerable have been assisted with onward transportation from the arrival centres of Berbera and Bossaso to their areas of origin.
Humanitarian access
The security situation continues to pose challenges for delivery of assistance, particularly in the central and southern regions. Insecurity has been compounded by the ongoing military operations . Significant sections of major supply routes remain inaccessible for the civilian population and humanitarians. These road blockages continue to disrupt markets and livelihoods of local communities, rendering them more susceptible to malnutrition and food insecurity. In Xudur, Bakool region, malnutrition rates have tripled with severe acute malnutrition rates of 19 per cent while very critical levels of seven per cent were reported in Bulo Burto, Hiraan region.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.