UN humanitarian chief meets Somalis displaced by drought

A severe drought is affecting Somalia where more than six million people, or roughly half the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. UN Humanitarian Coordinator chief Stephen O’Brien arrived in the country on Monday to assess the impact. Laura Gelbert accompanied the relief chief on his visit to a site for displaced people known as the Zone K IDP settlement, located in the capital, Mogadishu.

The world can avoid a tragedy in Somalia, UN chief urges

The world can avoid a tragedy in Somalia like the one that happened in 2011, the UN Secretary-General urged during his visit, in reference to a famine that was concentrated in the south-central part of the country at the time. Briefing the press in Baidoa, in south-central Somalia, António Guterres appealed for US $ 825 million to support more than 5 million people in the next six months. The UN and its partners have a plan, he said, but lacked the financial means to put it into action. Jocelyne Sambira has more.

UN ‘working overtime’ to avert another famine in Somalia

Also in Mogadishu, Joseph Contreras, the Spokesperson for the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), said that the United Nations is “working overtime” to avert another disaster in Somalia. On 28 February, Somalia’s President declared a national disaster and identified the drought crisis as a top priority for the country. Speaking to Laura Gelbert, Mr Contreras said the situation on the ground has become “significantly worse.”

Presenter: Jocelyne Sambira

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10’00″