UN says drought displaces 444,000 Somalis in 4 months

Severe drought which is ravaging Somalia has displaced more than 444,000 people from their homes since November 2016, the UN humanitarian agency said on Friday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the risk of famine in 2017 remains severe as drought conditions continue to worsen.

"Should the April to June rainy season perform poorly, purchasing power will decline to levels seen in 2010/11, and should humanitarian assistance be unable to reach populations in need, famine remains a strong possibility," OCHA warned in its latest report.

OCHA said some of the displaced people are forced to trek long distances because they cannot afford transportation costs.

It said many of the displaced are moving into existing Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) settlements while others have set up new settlements in towns.

"Some 4,100 people have crossed over to Dolo Ado camp in Ethiopia since January 2017. The majority of new arrivals are from Bay, Gedo and Middle Juba," it said.

The UN relief agency said the developments in northern regions of the country are expected to be slightly favourable but a significant decline will likely be experienced in southern and central Somalia and may be only marginally better than 2011 levels.

It said the situation in rural areas, some of which are inaccessible to humanitarian partners, is particularly critical.

"The depletion of water sources has forced communities to rely on private water vendors at prices many can barely afford. Conditions in early 2017 are comparable to early 2011," OCHA said. Endit