Biting drought displaces 761 000 in Somalia: UN

MOGADISHU, July 4 – The estimated number of people who have been displaced by the severe drought ravaging several parts of Somalia has risen to more than 761 000 since November, the UN said.

The UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest report that over 22 000 displacements were recorded between June 1 and 23.

It said out of 22 000, 13 500 individuals arrived in Baidoa from remote villages in Berdaale, Dinsoor and Qansahdhere districts in Bay region and Rabdhuure district in Bakool.

The UN said Baidoa had 174 280 of those displaced while Mogadishu (161 100) host 44%.

“At June 23, 16 300 IDPs (internally displaced persons) are reported to have returned to their places of origin in Bay and Bakool regions, with 60% of them returning in June.

“In 2017, 29 087 Somali refugees returned to Somalia,” said the UN.

According to the UN humanitarian agency, about 3 769 Somali refugees returned – 3 158 from Kenya, 417 from Yemen, and 197 from Djibouti – in May alone.

Humanitarian agencies say the severe drought has made local communities more vulnerable.

Most have been forced to sell their assets and borrow food and money to survive.

The Horn of Africa nation is in the midst of a drought after rains failed in November, for a third year in the row.

Humanitarians in Somalia are seeking more than $800 million (R10.5 billion) to reach the most vulnerable with life-saving assistance.

According to the UN, donors have been quick with their contributions for a scale-up of response and more than $600m has been made available or pledged for humanitarian response since January. – Xinhua

PICTURE: AP DESPERATE TIMES: Thousands of people in Somalia have arrived in Mogadishu, the capital, over the past two weeks seeking assistance and the number is increasing by the day, due to lack of water and food.