UN agency in Somalia calls for better access to almost 2 million in need

Warning that the humanitarian crisis in drought-stricken Somalia could rapidly deteriorate, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today called on all communities to work together to help almost 2 million people who require emergency assistance, and allow aid to pass to them unhindered.

In a press statement from Nairobi, Maxwell Gaylard, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, described the situation as “unprecedented” and also urged all sides in the conflict-ridden country to ensure that humanitarian workers were protected and could go about their work without interference.

“It is imperative that community elders, religious and political leaders, businessmen and militia create an environment conducive to impartial and independent humanitarian operations,” Mr. Gaylard said.

“We are already seriously challenged by the logistics in central and southern

Somalia, and with predicted poor next rains, the situation could quickly deteriorate further. We need across the board support and commitment of everyone to ensure access and protection so that we can alleviate the suffering of Somalis,” he added.

OCHA said that approximately 1.7 million people are in need of urgent assistance and protection in Somalia, due to the drought that has been caused by the failure of a third consecutive rain season, generalized land degradation and on-going conflict. The situation is further aggravated by an additional 400,000 internally displaced persons who are at high risk and vulnerability.

The UN and other humanitarian organizations are providing assistance in various sectors (food, livestock and agriculture, health, nutrition, water and sanitation) in the regions they have been able to access thanks to already existing cooperation with some local communities, the statement said.

Last December the UN launched a $174 million appeal to address the critical humanitarian needs of Somalia and OCHA said that an increased appeal for the Horn of Africa country would be considered at a later stage.

Somalia’s people live in extremely poor conditions. Livelihoods are broadly based on subsistence farming and pastoralism with limited opportunity to earn wages. Infant, child and maternal mortality rates are amongst the highest in the world. One in four Somali children dies before the age of five, and 1,600 Somali women die for every 100,000 live births. Average life expectancy is 48 years. The country has one of the lowest primary school enrolment rates in the world.