UNITED NATIONS, Sep 24 (IPS) – Somalia is currently in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that threatens to undermine the country’s security. This crisis is the result of the Somali Civil War, which started in 1991. Conflicts between home-based programs have caused many problems over the years, including the deaths of more than 596 people, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Somalia (UNSOM). Tensions have increased dramatically by 2024, with rates of internal migration and food insecurity rising rapidly.
“Our humanitarian partners tell us that since the beginning of the year, approximately 150,000 people have been displaced due to renewed family conflict and ongoing military operations. This has reinforced existing vulnerabilities and further increased humanitarian needs”, said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary. – General, at a press conference at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN).
Levels of general violence in Somalia have seen a sharp rise in recent years. The UN reports an increase in gender-based violence from 2022 onwards, with cases of domestic violence and rape increasing among girls in refugee camps. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 45 percent of girls are married before they reach 18 years of age.
Additionally, violence against Somali children remains high, with killings, recruitment, and sexual violence becoming more common, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The children have been arrested by the Somali authorities on suspicion of belonging to the Al-Shabab armed group. In addition, attacks on schools have exacerbated the ongoing education crisis in the country. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that 85 percent of Somali children are not enrolled in school.
Widespread food insecurity and hunger have been problems that have plagued Somalia for decades. From 2020 to 2023, Somalia has experienced the longest drought in history, with the resulting famine pushing communities to the brink of collapse. Heavy rain and flooding in the first quarter of 2024 left more than four million people severely food insecure, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
The armed conflict of the past three decades has severely disrupted the growth of the agricultural sector in Somalia, exacerbating the problem of hunger. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says the violent conflicts are destroying “systems and infrastructure in Somalia that could provide protection against climate and economic disasters”. There have also been reports of food and essential supplies being burned by warring groups in recent years.
Somalia currently relies heavily on imports to prevent famine across the country. The World Bank says, “the economy remains highly dependent on foreign countries as conflict has eroded the productive capacity of the economy”. It is estimated that more than 55 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty, while GDP growth remains stagnant.
Somalia’s migration crisis is considered one of the worst in the world. To date, an estimated four million people have been internally displaced, which is about 21 percent of the nation’s population.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 247,000 have left their homes due to severe flooding. About 53,600 homeless people were affected by the floods, which destroyed shelters.
The World Bank adds that there are more than 38,000 refugees in Somalia from neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as Yemen. This influx of refugees has overwhelmed Somali refugee shelters, leading to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, security concerns, limited access to essential services, and an increased risk of gender-based violence.
Armed conflicts have worsened living conditions and access to critical services for displaced people. The HRW report says that the attack by the armed group Al-Shabab has led to a blockade in the city of Baidoa, which has hampered the arrival of aid.
“In July, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders, MSF) announced that it was withdrawing from Las Anod due to increasing levels of violence, repeated attacks on medical facilities, and injuries to medical workers”, added HRW. In addition, the floods have severely hampered humanitarian assistance, as many areas are completely inaccessible.
Additionally, a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that Somalia has the distinction of having the most prevalent mental health problem in the world, due to prolonged exposure to violence. About one-third of the population suffers from some form of mental disorder, which is exacerbated by the lack of mental health facilities in the nation. WHO has officially approved only five hospitals in the country.
Currently, UN humanitarian efforts are underway in an effort to alleviate this ongoing crisis. UNSOM is dedicated to supporting peacekeeping operations, supported by the federal government. OCHA is on a mission to help communities affected by floods. Somalia’s 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calls for $1.6 billion to ease conflict and support more than 5.2 million people. The UN strongly encourages donor contributions as only 37 percent of that goal has been achieved.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
