1. Background and Humanitarian needs
The main drivers of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia – prolonged drought, conflict, high food and water prices, displacement and disease outbreaks – have pushed an ever-greater number of vulnerable people into despair, with minorities and marginalized groups disproportionately affected. In 2023, an estimated 8.25 million people, about half of the total estimated population, need humanitarian and protection assistance.
An unprecedented drought is devastating Somalia. Following five consecutive poor rainy seasons, the current drought has surpassed 2010-2011 and 2016-2017 droughts in duration and severity. With a sixth below-average rains forecast, the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
Conflict and insecurity are major impediments to humanitarian operations outside major population centres and in other hard-to- reach areas across Somalia. Conflict and insecurity continue to displace civilians and compound vulnerabilities; in 2022, more than 600,000 people were internally displaced due to conflict and insecurity. Somalia has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, currently estimated at 3.8 million people.
The drought and armed conflict are having a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people, particularly on women, children and minority and marginalized groups. Women and children make up more than 80 per cent of Somalia’s displaced people. Drought and food insecurity negatively affect livelihoods, health, living conditions and access to social services, which exacerbate protection risks and pre- existing inequities. Limited access and unavailability of water, sanitation and hygiene services and inadequate shelter render women and girls more vulnerable to gender-based violence and disrupt their ability to live in dignity.
The latest forecast for the 2023 Gu rainy season (April-June) paints a more positive outlook across most parts of Somalia than was initially predicted. This could potentially bring much-needed relief and better conditions in these areas during the next few months. However, approximately 6.5 million people across Somalia are projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity classified in Crisis (integrated phase classification 3) or above through June 2023. The three areas identified in the last January 2023 IPC analysis as being at risk of famine (Mogadishu IDPs, Baidoa IDPs and Burhakaba agropastoral areas) experienced a significant decrease in population in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) from 96,000 to less than 5,000 and are no longer at risk of famine. Additional reductions in populations in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) were also recorded. The estimated total burden of acute wasting among children under the age of five years in Somalia between January and December 2023 remains at approximately 1.8 million children, including 477,700 projected to be severely malnourished.
In 2023, more than 8 million people (2,529,600 girls, 2,430,400 boys) will need emergency water supply. Water insecurity continues to increase the risks of disease outbreaks. In 2023, 8,987 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in 28 districts, 4,966 of whom were children aged below 5 years, including 27 associated deaths (Case Fatality Rate of 0.3 per cent). Since mid-April, further geographic spread of cholera transmission continues to be reported, especially around the Mandera triangle where the Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia borders converge, and population movements are driving transmission across borders.
Furthermore, the country recorded 5,239 suspected cases of measles, 73 per cent (3,812) were children under five years of age.
However, SOYDA have been providing integrated package of nutrition, Food Security, Education, Civic Education, Youth empowerment, WASH, protection, and health intervention in Benadir, Southwest and Jubbaland State of Somalia.
SOYDA shall however, continue its program implementation to enable reduce the vulnerability as well as provide improved lifesaving Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security, Protection and Education services