Three crises in a period of fewer than two years have left Somali communities vulnerable and in desperate need of aid.

August 7, 2007

By Zeba Mbuvi and Nancy Okwengu, World Vision Somalia Communications

As unceasing violence continues to ravage Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu — having forced hundreds of thousands to flee during the past several months — a looming drought threatens to further deteriorate the humanitarian situation in this besieged, disaster-prone African nation. The news comes in the wake of severe flooding here last November, which inundated the entire Horn region of Africa.

The combination of conflict, drought, and flooding has created a critical situation for Somali families.

Heavy Rains, Then None at All

Reports indicate that parts of central and southern Somalia have not received rain in the past three seasons, creating increased incidence of food shortage, malnutrition, and disease. Food insecurity has led many families to relocate to areas closer to water sources, World Vision field staff members say.

Of particular concern to residents of rural areas is the potential for crop failure from rain shortage — cereal production has already been below normal levels for the past three seasons in Somalia's Shabelle region. Malnutrition rates in this area have reached emergency levels, and host communities are under great strain due to an influx of internally displaced persons fleeing the fighting in Mogadishu.

Illness outbreaks, including diarrhea and cholera, are prevalent.

World Vision Responding

To combat these trends, World Vision in Somalia continues to operate health facilities and food distribution programs. In late July, a two-day distribution focusing on villages in southern Somalia was able to provide more than 90 tons of food supplies, including vegetable oil and cereal. We also continue distribution of other essential items to residents in need, including water, cooking utensils, medicine, blankets, and mosquito nets.

"Food is one of the major needs of the Somali children, most of whom only have one meal a day," says Aden Isaac Ibrahim, a World Vision food monitor. "Failed rains have contributed to the rising food needs in this region."

Also contributing to the plight of the Somali people is disease, particularly cases of diarrhea among the displaced population. Three-year-old Shamso Somo Hussein, whose family fled to the Waajid district from Mogadishu, suffered from the illness last spring and was treated at World Vision's health center there. Today, she is fully recovered — a fact that her parents say is a miracle.

"I was away … when Shamso fell sick," said Soomow Hussein Ali, Shamso's father. "I received the news from a friend that Shamso could die anytime, because many people had already died. I rushed back to be with my family. While at the [World Vision health clinic], she gradually became strong and was able to open her eyes, eat, and laugh.

"I was very happy and thankful to World Vision for taking care of my daughter while I was away."

Violence Continues

Meanwhile, in Mogadishu, fierce fighting between insurgents and the Somali Transitional Federal Government has forced 27,000 people to flee the city during the past two months alone, and unexploded ordnance surrounding the capital poses a constant threat to children, Reuters reports. Somalia has not had a centralized government for more than 15 years. And most Somalis live on less than $1 per day.

The majority of those attempting to escape the violence are destitute women and children, many of whom are forced to travel on foot for hundreds of miles before they find sanctuary. Along the way, these displaced persons are particularly vulnerable to theft, rape, and assault, because they lack the resources to pay for safer modes of transportation.

Drought conditions have compounded the humanitarian crisis for the displaced in central and southern Somalia. In response, World Vision's Humanitarian Emergency Affairs team in Somalia plans to meet with various nongovernmental organizations, as well as community members and leaders, to ascertain the area's needs in the midst of the rain shortage — and respond accordingly.