Over 300,000 people displaced in 2022; UN warns of looming famine catastrophe
As Somalia faces its worst drought in decades, more than 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in search of food and water since the beginning of the year. The crisis is exacerbated by three consecutive failed rainy seasons since October 2020, leaving crops and livestock decimated and the population vulnerable. These displaced individuals are seeking refuge in already overcrowded camps that lack essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare.
Somalia, which has over 2,400 displacement settlements, is experiencing extreme pressure, with many people walking for miles to reach these camps. The UN has issued dire warnings, describing the situation as a “potential catastrophe” in 2022. “People eat one meal a day, or two if they are lucky,” shared Mohamud Mohamed, a displaced person at the Luuq camp in southern Gedo province. The lack of access to water and food has caused further strain on the population.
The United Nations estimates that more than a quarter of Somalia’s population urgently needs food assistance, with approximately 1.4 million children under five years old expected to be acutely malnourished. Humanitarian groups fear that the situation will worsen if the rains due in April do not meet expectations, with famine increasingly likely.
Islamic Relief staff visiting Bardhere camp in Gedo reported extreme conditions, with people living in rudimentary shelters, many on the edge of death due to malnutrition and dehydration. Several deaths were recorded, including that of an infant, as aid efforts struggle to meet the overwhelming demand.
The growing crisis has underscored the urgent need for international aid and action to prevent further loss of life in Somalia.
