Displacement and dire conditions as drought ravages southern Somalia.
The drought in Somalia has triggered an alarming humanitarian crisis, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in search of food and water. Many have made the perilous journey to overcrowded camps, some carrying sick children in desperate conditions.
Since October 2020, three consecutive failed rainy seasons have destroyed crops and killed livestock, worsening the situation. Alongside the environmental devastation, ongoing violence has also displaced many from their homes. The crisis has intensified, with over 1.4 million children under five years old reported as acutely malnourished.
Images from the camps near Luglow in southern Somalia depict the harsh reality: makeshift shelters made of twigs, fabric, and tarpaulins offer minimal protection from the scorching sun. People wait in line for scarce water supplies, often with pieces of cloth tied to jerrycans to mark their own. In addition, health issues such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever are rampant, and access to healthcare is limited.
Madina Ibrahim Hilowle, a mother in the camp, expressed deep concern for her three-year-old son, who has been suffering from illness for months due to a lack of proper food and medicine. As the situation deteriorates daily, the people of Somalia continue to endure unimaginable hardships, with humanitarian aid urgently needed to stave off further devastation.
