Somalia Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin #24, 18-25 June, 2010

Key Overall Developments

Rains improve food security prospects in Somalia

The latest Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) report issued on 18 June says the food security situation in Somalia looks promising as a result of good 2010 Gu rains (April-June). Average to above average rains received in most parts of the country have considerably improved pasture and water conditions in pastoral areas. Cereal production is also expected to be average to above average in the main cereal producing areas. However, the gains have been particularly offset by recent floods caused by excessive rains which had devastating effects on Juba riverine livelihoods where many farmers suffered from considerable damage to their standing crops from early Gu planting. The final result of the yearly post-Gu assessment which is currently under preparation will be available in August.

Acute Watery Diarrhea update

A village in Jalalaqsi district, Hiraan region, reported 78 AWD cases, including 51 children and eight related deaths. The high number of deaths in Shaw village is attributed to inaccessible health facilities due to the heavy rains that have destroyed roads. The nearest health facility is 30km from Shaw village. Between January and May, 25,013 AWD cases have been reported from 204 health facilities countrywide. Children under five years have been most affected with 18,642 cases (72 percent) and 48 out of 51 related deaths. South Central Somalia accounts for more than 80 percent of all the cases reported.