UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (IPS) – Somalia is currently in the midst of a dire humanitarian crisis that threatens to destabilize the country. The crisis is the result of the Somali civil war that began in 1991. According to the United Nations Support Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the conflict between clans has caused numerous problems over the years, including more than 596 civilian casualties. Tensions have escalated significantly in 2024, leading to a rapid increase in internal displacement and food insecurity.
“Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that since the beginning of the year, some 150,000 people have been displaced by communal conflict and ongoing military operations, deepening existing vulnerabilities and exacerbating humanitarian needs,” Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a news conference at UN headquarters.
The level of generalized violence in Somalia has increased significantly in recent years. The UN has reported that gender-based violence will increase from 2022, and there has been a sharp increase in domestic violence and rape cases among girls in refugee shelters. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 45% of girls are married before they turn 18.
Additionally, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), violence against Somali children remains severe, with killings, recruitment, and sexual violence becoming more common. Children have been detained by Somali authorities on suspicion of having ties to the al-Shabaab militant group. In addition, attacks on schools have significantly worsened the country’s ongoing education crisis. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that 85 percent of Somali children are not enrolled in school.
Widespread food insecurity and famine have plagued Somalia for decades. From 2020 to 2023, Somalia experienced its longest drought on record, and the resulting hunger crisis has pushed communities to the brink of collapse. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC), heavy rains and floods in the first quarter of 2024 have pushed more than 4 million people into severe food insecurity.
Armed conflict over the past three decades has severely disrupted Somalia’s agricultural sector, exacerbating the hunger crisis. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says the violent conflict has damaged Somalia’s “systems and infrastructure that would have provided a shield against climate and economic disaster.” There have also been reports in recent years of warring parties burning food and essential resources.
Somalia is currently heavily dependent on imports to prevent nationwide hunger. The World Bank says, “The conflict has destroyed the economy’s productive capacity, making the economy heavily dependent on imports.” More than 55 percent of the population is estimated to live in extreme poverty, and GDP growth is relatively stagnant.
Somalia’s displacement crisis is considered one of the world’s most serious. Currently, approximately 4 million people are internally displaced, or about 21% of the country’s population.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 247,000 people have been forced from their homes by the heavy rains. Some 53,600 people have been displaced by the floods, and important shelters have been destroyed.
The World Bank added that there are more than 38,000 refugees in Somalia, coming from border countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as Yemen. The influx of refugees has overflowed Somali refugee shelters, leading to overcrowding, poor sanitation, security issues, limited access to essential resources, and increased risk of gender-based violence.
The armed conflict has significantly worsened the living conditions of displaced people and their access to vital resources. According to a report by HRW, attacks by the Al-Shabaab militant group have resulted in a blockade of the town of Baidoa, preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the area.
“In July, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it was withdrawing from Ras Anod due to rising levels of violence, repeated attacks on health facilities and injuries to health workers,” HRW added. Flooding has also severely hampered humanitarian aid, leaving many areas completely inaccessible.
Also, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), Somalia has the world’s most widespread mental health crisis as a result of long-term exposure to violence. About a third of the population suffers from some type of psychological disorder, which is greatly exacerbated by the country’s lack of mental health facilities. The WHO officially recognizes only five psychiatric hospitals in the country.
Currently, the UN humanitarian initiative is underway as part of efforts to mitigate the ongoing crisis. UNSOM is committed to supporting the peacekeeping mission with support from the Federal Government. OCHA is in the process of supporting communities affected by the floods. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Somalia calls for $1.6 billion to effectively ease tensions and support more than 5.2 million people. The UN is strongly encouraging donor contributions, but only 37% of that target has been achieved.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal Source: Inter Press Service
