WFP needs 351 million dollars to strengthen its aid in Somalia

The effects of decades of armed conflict, irregular rainfall, poverty and internal displacement have led millions of people in Somalia to extreme hunger and food shortages. According to the United Nations organization, between October and December, approximately 4.3 million people will be facing the worst food shortage crisis, with one million needing emergency aid to deal with hunger. In its most recent report, WFP has said that the number of children under the age of five estimated to face severe malnutrition in 2023 has decreased to 1.5 million, while 331,000 children are still facing life-threatening malnutrition. In addition to other disasters, Somalia is frequently hit by other disasters such as locusts The report added that, approximately 1.2 million people living in rural areas, urban areas and internally displaced persons in flood prone areas are facing the threat of flooding due to the combined effect of El Nino and the good condition of the Indian Ocean during the rainy season of Deyr that starts from October to December. The report has warned that, expected sudden floods in urban areas can affect many people, as more than half of people's residences in lowland areas are affected by floods. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, about 1.2 million Somalis may be affected by floods in the next three months. WFP has also announced that anticipatory measures following the start of the expected floods will aim to help people in areas at risk of being affected by floods in the regions of Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Gedo and Lower Shabelle.