DISASTER LOOMS OVER DROUGHT-STRUCK NORTHERN SOMALIA

DISASTER LOOMS OVER DrOUGHT-STRUCK NORTHERN SOMALIA

(Reissued as received.)

NAIROBI, 28 May (Office of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia) -- The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Maxwell Gaylard, is expressing great concern about the deepening drought conditions in northern Somalia.  “Although there are about two weeks left of the rainy season in the area, all the signs indicate that the communities of large parts of northern Somalia are experiencing yet another season of inadequate rainfall”, stated Mr. Gaylard.  “This situation could develop into full-blown disaster in the next couple of months, he continued.”

Four years of below-normal rainfall have decimated the herds of pastoralists living in the regions of Sool, Sanaag, Togdheer, Nugaal, Mudug and Bari in Somaliland and Puntland, and some areas of Galgaduud in the centre of the country, which is also affected by inter-clan conflict.  Aid agencies estimate that only 20 per cent of the area has had enough rain to allow pasture to grow.  Even these areas will be exhausted within 10-15 days as a result of the high concentrations of livestock that desperate pastoralist have moved into these limited areas to keep the remainder of their animals alive.  The drought has led to massive livestock deaths -– in some areas up to 80 per cent of herds –- further impoverishing an estimated 200,000 pastoralists.  The loss of pack animals also means that women and children are forced to carry water for distances of up to 10 to 20 kilometres.

The situation of already destitute pastoralists continues to deteriorate.  Many have moved to towns where they are placing their already poor relatives and clan members under further stress.  Others remain congregated in camps or villages, along roads and at water points.

United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations responded to the crisis in late 2003 and early 2004 with short-term relief operations including food distributions, water provision, mobile health services, veterinary support for livestock, and cash grants.  But if substantial rains do not arrive in the area in the next two weeks, the extent and intensity of the drought will expand needs beyond the current relief operations.  “Donors and the authorities in the regions concerned have responded to the crisis, enabling the aid agencies to mount a well-coordinated response”, commented Mr. Gaylard, “however, the failure of another rainy season will require a much more concerted effort at providing relief if we are to avoid unnecessary suffering and deaths of the most vulnerable”.

For more information, please contact: Calum McLean, Head of UN-OCHASomalia, tel.: (254 20) 4448434; fax: (254 20) 4448439; e-mail: calum.mclean@undp.org.

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