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Climate change

Somalia Faces Unprecedented Food Security Challenges Amid Drought and Humanitarian Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Millions of rural Somali people continue to face severe food security challenges, with nearly 5 million experiencing acute food insecurity, and 960,000 facing catastrophic hunger. The situation remains critical, with the risk of famine persisting in some areas. To reverse the trend, sustained humanitarian assistance and transformative actions to improve food and water security are needed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 5 million people in Somalia are experiencing IPC Phase 3 'Crisis' or worse levels of acute food insecurity, including 96,000 facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5).
  • Acute hunger is expected to rise, with 6.5 million people projected to face 'Crisis' or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2023.
  • Agropastoral populations in Burhakaba district and displaced people in Baidoa and Mogadishu face 'Risk of Famine' between April to June 2023 if humanitarian assistance does not reach those most in need.
  • Sustained livelihoods support is crucial to break the cycle of chronic and acute vulnerability among rural communities.
  • FAO has received $183 million for the Somalia Famine Prevention Scale-up Plan, accounting for 68% of required funds, but urgent additional funding is needed to scale up assistance.

Statistics:

  • 5 million people across Somalia are experiencing IPC Phase 3 'Crisis' or worse levels of acute food insecurity.
  • 96,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5).
  • 6.5 million people are projected to face 'Crisis' or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2023.
  • 223,000 people are likely to face catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5).
  • 68% of required funds for the FAO's Somalia Famine Prevention Scale-up Plan have been received ($183 million).

Sources:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • FAO's Somalia Famine Prevention Scale-up Plan (May 2022 - June 2023)
  • Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC) analysis

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