Somalia is one of the countries experiencing food shortages
Friday, 29 July 2005
Somalia is one of the countries experiencing food shortages
It is currently estimated that approximately one million people, including 400,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), are in need of humanitarian assistance and livelihood support, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimating that only 8% of the Consolidated Inter-agency Appeal (or $12.7 million) has been pledged by donors to date.
For many years, Somalia has lacked a central government authority. Recently, as a result of regional mediation, a transitional government has been established representing the different groups in the country. However, an ongoing dispute between the main leaders over a couple of issues has meant that political insecurity still exists with sporadic violence in recent months. This is severely hampering humanitarian efforts.
1 million people are thought to be at risk.
What is Concern doing: Concern has helped communities in the Kurtunwaarey rural area reduce the risks of damage from flash flooding and has gathered together supplies of key items to help address people’s needs.
What is Concern calling for: On-going engagement by the international community in mediation efforts between the key figures in the transitional government. Donor countries should also meet the huge shortfall in funding the identified food and other needs as a matter of urgency.
