NRC: Famine already present and killing tens of thousands in Somalia

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NRC: Famine already present and killing tens of thousands in Somalia

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) Following a statement by the Famine Review Committee's report on Somalia's worsening drought, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said that famine already present and killing tens of thousands in Somalia.

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Children from drought-affected households play outside of Qaydaradey IDP camp in Baidoa. Photo: Abdulkadir Mohamed/NRC.

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) Following a statement by the Famine Review Committee's report on Somalia's worsening drought, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said that famine already present and killing tens of thousands in Somalia.

"Today’s declaration on hunger in Somalia fails to convey the extreme severity of the situation on the ground in many parts of the country. We’re afraid this may lead the international community into further complacency. Let us be absolutely clear: Famine is already present and killing tens of thousands silently in Somalia. There is not enough data being collected and shared to inform the Famine Review Committee's decision adequately," said NRC Country Director Mohamed Abdi.

Somalia is witnessing an historic dry spell – a situation not seen in more than 40 years – and an expected sixth failed rainy season is bound to displace many more families.

In early August, NRC and the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) announced that drought had displaced 1 million people in Somalia.

"Half of the areas worst affected by the drought in the south are entirely out of our reach because of the fighting. But we can only assume the worst: those who are left behind are the most vulnerable, left with no resources or energy to flee for food and water, Abdi added.

Somalia is ranked second highest globally in terms of climate vulnerability, based on 2019 data, according to the University of Notre Dame’s Global Adaptation Initiative ranking.

"Between January and October, Somalia has had 1.7 million people displaced by drought and conflict. Lethal hunger has been allowed to spread like wildfire. It is already too late for hundreds of thousands caught in this catastrophe. When Somalia experienced famine in 2011, and more than 250,000 people died, the international community pledged ‘never again’.Yet we find ourselves once again facing catastrophe," he adds.

"We are now in a race against time to assist millions more people whose lives have been devastated by the effects of, drought, climate change and rising food prices. We need to reach communities immediately with lifesaving aid. International donors need to step up funding for Somalia to prevent more from dying away from the world’s gaze.”