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Somalia

Statement on Somalia - Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos

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(New York, 3 February 2012) I welcome the news that famine conditions are no longer present in Somalia, according to analysis today released by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit and Famine Early Warning System.

I am very concerned however, that the situation remains critical for at least 2.34 million people in Somalia. In southern parts of the country, 1.7 million people need food, clean water, shelter and other assistance just to survive. Mortality rates remain among the highest in the world.

While sustained humanitarian efforts and a good harvest have helped to mitigate the crisis, we must not forget that the progress made is fragile. Without continued and generous support from the international community, these gains could be reversed. Continued conflict and lack of access to people in need remain major operational challenges.

We also need to focus on building up people's ability to cope better with future droughts and food crises. We must keep our attention firmly focused on Somalia and ensure that we do not fail the most vulnerable.

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