Humanitarian catastrophe looming in Somalia

The devastating combination of repeated flooding and the impacts of a swirling conflict has plagued Somalia for the past three decades.

This situation is facing millions in Somalia in 2021. Three-quarters of all displacement there was due to flooding or drought, and heavy rainfall led to a national emergency being declared over the country’s largest swarm of locusts in 25 years, resulting in a huge loss of vegetation and livelihoods.

More than 3.2 million people in 66 out of the country’s 74 districts are experiencing the cumulative impacts of three consecutive below average rainy seasons, of whom 169,000 people have abandoned their homes in search of water, food and pasture.

Changing migration patterns, poor urban planning and infrastructure, and growing inequality continue to put more people at risk of harm from floods or drought. with fewer resources to tackle these hazards, vulnerabilities increase and the vicious cycle continues.

Preliminary findings from a country-wide rapid needs assessment completed on 6 December show extreme impacts on already vulnerable populations, affected by decades of complex emergencies and natural disasters.

The assessment found that many families have lost their means of livelihoods. At the same time, prices of basic commodities including food have significantly risen above the reach of most families. As a coping mechanism, families have reduced the frequency and quantity of meals, including for children.

Major health concerns and disease outbreaks were identified during the assessment including malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, pregnancy complications and respiratory infections. 

An increase is reported in acute malnutrition. COVID-19 infections are reportedly on the increase in Galgadud region, due to severe water shortages and lack of access to adequate hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Somalia used to have flood defense systems appropriate for the seasonal climatic changes but years of political turmoil weakened these systems while climate change has put increasing pressure on them and, in some cases, further damaged them.

These increasingly frequent events and the impact of instability in Somalia are likely to have knock-on effects, with grave consequences on food security, migration, displacement, and conflict.

The lack of aid for adaptation and poverty reduction tackling food insecurity seen in Somalia could result in greater political instability and conflict and drive increased violence across the Horn of Africa nation.