UK injects more drought funds to Somalia

The United Kingdom has injected more drought funds to the federal republic of Somalia amid ravaging hunger, which has left dozens of people dead according to statistics availed by Mogadishu, which has already declared a state of emergency following the hunger.

Nick Dyer, the UK Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, visited Somalia this week as part of the effort to help thousands of families that risk starvation in the Horn of Africa nation.

The United Kingdom has an additional $8 million for famine prevention, which now supplements $10 million which was given by Vicky Ford, the Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean last month.

The funding will go towards providing vital assistance, such as cash to buy urgent food supplies and water to vulnerable families across Somalia, the UK said in a statement.

During his visit to Somalia, the special envoy met Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Marine and Southwest' Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen. These two regions are the worst affected so far according to official government statistics.

Mr. Dyer also held meetings with Somalia’s Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, where they discussed the severity of the humanitarian needs. Mr. Dyer noted that the situation will lead to extreme losses and further instability unless collective and scaled-up action is taken now.

"The lives of people in Somalia are on the line. We know from 2017 when we and partners acted early, lives were saved. We can and must provide the assistance that the most vulnerable need and save lives," he said.

Over 90 percent of Somalia is affected by the drought with the food security situation likely to deteriorate rapidly leaving at least a third of the population, 4.6 million Somalis facing crisis-to-emergency-level food insecurity from February to May 2022.

Over 271,000 have already abandoned their homes in search of food, water, and pasture; making Somalia the most severely drought-affected country in the Horn of Africa.

The UK is supporting the humanitarian response in Somalia through critical infrastructure development such as water dams which will help over 72,000 people across the country. Over 500,000 Somalis will also receive cash assistance to buy urgent food and water thanks to new UK support.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble declared a state of emergency a few months ago after over 10 people succumbed to hunger in Jubaland state. The regional government has been calling for external support since then.

GAROWE ONLINE