Somaliland: Food Insecurity Threatens Communities’ Enjoyment of Basic Human Rights
As of 13 September 2017, the growing food insecurity in Somaliland and Somalia leaves its inhabitants exposed to a risk of continued acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and cholera outbreaks. This conflict also leaves women in the region especially vulnerable to rape attacks, as they are forced to fetch water over especially long distances. Still, this outbreak and conflict is on decline in the region, while a similar situation in the Ogaden region continues to worsen, authorities ignoring the crisis.
Below is Situation Update by Relief Web
AWD/Cholera cases have drastically reduced in Somaliland but the communities are still vulnerable to AWD outbreaks due to poor nutrition uptake.
Acute food insecurity has been reported in Bay/Bakool, Sool, Sanaag, and parts of Awdal regions. With reduced access to animal products such as milk and other food items due to drought induced livestock deaths and less household income, many cannot afford to buy food.
Food prices have also skyrocketed and as a result it is projected that there will be increased family displacement, family separation and child protection concerns.
According to the Guardian Newspaper, women have been greatly affected by the drought in Somaliland increasing number of female-headed households since their husbands have left in search of alternative means of getting income.
Women are forced to fetch water over long distances and in some cases they are often raped.
Persisting drought conditions in Adado district in Galgaduud region has forced pastoralist communities who have lost all their livestocks to migrate to urban areas and IDP camps in search of food, water, shelter and health services.
Adado district administration reported that about 400 drought/conflict affected people have arrived in Adado, Bahdo, and Godinlabe IDP camps. Others are joining their relatives in the host communities. Due to the increased influx, Adado district administration has requested humanitarian agencies to support vulnerable communities living in the IDP Camps in providing foodstuffs and any other humanitarian assistance.
Measles outbreak cases have reduced in Bay and Bakool areas with only three cases reported from Save the Children’s supported Mother & Child Health Clinics (MCHs) in Bardale and Horseed.
Nutrition situation in Bay/Bakool region has also improved with indications such as less admissions of children suffering from malnutrition in IDP camps around Baidoa town. Save the Children is currently running 27 nutrition centers in Bay and Lower Shabelle region.
