WFP scales up support for millions who ‘cannot wait’ for food aid amid Horn of Africa drought — Global Issues
The region is suffering from a historic drought, caused by four consecutive failed rains. The crisis has left some 22 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are struggling to find enough to eat, with the numbers expected to rise.
Cattle are dying, lack of water and food is very serious. More than a million people have fled their homes and are now living in overcrowded camps, where humanitarians are scrambling to meet overwhelming needs.
There is no end in the scene
WFP Police Chief David Beasley on Thursday concluded a visit to Somalia, where there is a high risk of famine.
More than seven million people there, almost half of the populationfood is severely insecurity, and 213,000 people are facing famine-like conditions.
Mr Beasley traveled to the southern city of Baardheere, where he met families, including malnourished children and their mothers, who had been forced to leave their homes and travel long distances to search. humanitarian aid, in the context of ongoing conflict.
“People here have been waiting for the rain for years – but they can’t wait any longer for life-saving food assistance. The world needs to act now to protect the most vulnerable communities from the threat of widespread famine in the Horn of Africa,” he said. speak.
“There is no end to this drought crisis yet, so We must obtain the necessary resources to save lives and prevent people from falling into catastrophic starvation.”.
Food and cash support
WFP says drought is expected to continue in coming months as a fifth worst rainy season is forecast later this year.
The agency is doing everything it can to support the most vulnerable, but urgently needs about $418 million over the next six months to meet the growing need.
Meanwhile, WFP focuses on using available funds to increase support in the hardest hit areas. The target is to target around 8.5 million people across the region, up from 6.3 million at the beginning of the year.
Staff are providing food and cash assistance to families, in addition to distributing fortified food to women and children as malnutrition rates rise. Cash assistance and insurance programs are also helping households buy food to keep their pets alive or to compensate them when they die.
Support for Somalia
Relatedly, $10 million has been allocated from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to strengthen the response to drought in Somalia.
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths warned Friday that time is running out for people in the country.
“If we don’t increase the potency now, it will run out and Malnourished children are likely to die first,” he speak.
“This new funding will help humanitarian agencies get supplies and staff on site as soon as possible to help prevent another disaster in Somalia. But it is not the solution. We need all the hands and all the resources to be mobilized to stop hunger“.
CERF has contributed a total of $41 million to the drought response in Somalia this year.
Funding has been used to support food and nutrition interventions, and to provide health care, water and sanitation, protection, shelter and education to those in need.
