The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that the famine situation in Somalia could get worse by 25 percent if special attention is not paid to displaced persons.
According to the humanitarian organisation, the ongoing hunger crisis in the country does not yet meet the threshold for a famine categorisation, but the situation will likely worsen in the coming months.
Somalia’s worst drought in 40 years is forcing more and more people to leave their homes in search of food security and greener pastures for livestock.
‘Displacement is one of the four major factors, or ‘threat multipliers for famine’, in Somalia. The other three factors include worsening drought, increasing food prices and fighting’, IFRC’s Regional Director for Africa, Mohammed Mukhier, said.
‘Addressing the unique needs of displaced people efficiently will reduce the probability of famine significantly’.
Over one million people have been forced to leave their homes as the hunger crisis rages; this number is expected to rise.
According to the organisation, the increasing number of displaced people in already overcrowded temporary settlements will limit access to clean water, sanitation, nutrition and health services.
Providing displaced people with tailormade humanitarian assistance is one of the most efficient ways of protecting host families from slipping into hunger themselves, while at the same time ensuring people on the move meet their nutritional needs.
Bringing humanitarian assistance to families who are continually on the move is one of the greatest challenges aid workers face.
Some of the urgent actions needed to tackle famine include the strengthening of health and nutrition services, cash assistance and shelter.
‘We reiterate our call to prioritise the growing hunger crisis in Somalia, the country’s worst drought in 40 years. As an organisation, our focus is on displaced people, because of our unique ability to reach them with assistance’, Mukhier added.
Source: IFRC
Photo source: WFP
