Humanitarians change course to avert famine in Somalia: UN
Humanitarians change course to avert famine in Somalia: UN
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UNITED NATIONS: UN partners in Somalia are pursuing a new approach to famine prevention, concentrating on partnership with local authorities and communities in high-risk areas, according to UN humanitarians.

"A similar shift, along with timely and scaled-up humanitarian assistance, prevented famine in Somalia in 2016/2017," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"As the drought in Somalia worsens, the nation faces the possibility of famine in six places by June 2022 if the April-June 'Gu' season rains fail to materialise as projected, food prices rise, and humanitarian assistance is not scaled up," the UN Office warned.

The number of people impacted by severe drought has risen to 6.1 million in April, up from 4.9 million in March. According to the Xinhua report, about 759,400 people were displaced in their search for water, food, and pasture. Food costs are rising as a result of the Ukraine crisis.

As per the UN Office, up to 90% of Somalia's water sources are drying up, including the Shabelle and Juba rivers. Water levels are lower than they have been in the past. An estimated 3.5 million individuals do not have enough water.  More than 6 million Somalis are suffering severe food shortages from April through mid-2022, according to OCHA, with an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) of 3 or above.

Acute malnutrition among children is on the rise, with certain districts in southern Somalia experiencing catastrophic levels. As per report, approximately 1.4 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition this year, with worldwide acute malnutrition rates above 15% in 45 of 74 districts.

According to OCHA, a rise in preventable diseases is due to a lack of timely and adequate healthcare, as well as limited access to clean water, food, and nutrition.

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