A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Over the past 2 years, there has been inconsistent levels of rainfall across parts of Somalia as per the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) post-Deyr (short rains) 2014 .Food Security and Nutrition Outlook (February – June 2015) indicate that “in the Northwest agro pastoral areas dependent on Gu/Karan (long/middle) rainfall for crop cultivation, these areas received below-average Gu rains, which affected crop development. However, this was partly compensated by average Karan rains received in August and September 2014 in Woqooyi Galbeed and Awdal Regions, which improved crop yield.” Similarly, the August 2015 Technical Release of FSNAU-FEWS NET on post-Gu (long rains) indicate that in the Northwest Agro pastoral livelihood zone, poor rainfall contributed to low production prospects, with the 2015 Gu-Karan cereal harvest (October-November) estimated at only 37 percent of the five-year average for 2010-2014. In the nearby Guban Pastoral livelihood zone, drought conditions have contributed to a severe water shortage and unusual livestock deaths.
In August 2015, there were early indications of possible food insecurity in the Somaliland territory. The Somaliland authorities in collaboration with the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) carried out an assessment (from September – December 2015), which indicated the worsening drought situation and on 5 February 2016, an alert was issued on the same. A state of drought was also declared in several of Puntland’s regions on the 5th February 2016, due to severe drought affecting parts of Somalia. Around the same time, the Puntland Government similarly declared a state of drought in most of the three regions of that zone, a severe crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of people across Puntland. Livestock have perished and so many people standing on the brink of starvation.
Regions in Puntland and Somaliland that had been severely hit with extensive drought that was carried over from 2015 into 2016 include Bari, Karkaar, Sanaag, Awdal, Marodijeh,Sahiland Sool.. The numbers of food insecure populations have increased markedly following successive bouts of drought as a result of the combined effects of ElNino and La-Nino. There is severe water shortages and lack of pasture in all affected areas with the availability of water reportedly classified to be quasi-zero in most of the villages. Both Puntland and Somaliland Governments issued an Appeal to agencies and donors stating that there is a need to act immediately and mobilize swiftly to support these vulnerable people who have been rendered vulnerable for months.
Somalia is a country prone to recurrent droughts due to irregular rainfall patterns and effects of climate change.In both Puntland and Somaliland territories, the population is mostly engaged in agro-pastoralism that have been affected by the drought, reducing access to food and impacting on their nutritional/health status.The farming situation has since deteriorated due to the lack of rains that helps in cultivation. Water sources of these communities are shallow wells which most of them are damaged and need rehabilitation. There are no nearby rivers and boreholes.
The Ministry of Health led “Drought Joint Rapid Assessment” conducted from 8 to 13 February 2016 identified the challenges and needs of the drought affected population. They are as follows:
Food insecurity
Disease outbreaks (Diarrhea, Malnutrition, LRTI and Pneumonia)
Low coverage of Health Services and limited drug supply
Water shortages – as well as limited access to clean and safe water
Deteriorating livestock situation – due to pasture and water crisis and disease outbreaks
The major coping strategies being implemented by the affected population include:
Migration by head of household to look for work in the towns
Reduction of meals by households
Remittance from the diaspora and urban areas