Highlights
- From January to June 2016, UNICEF provided humanitarian assistance to drought-affected populations in Somaliland and Puntland, as well as to communities affected by floods and the Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera outbreak in central and southern regions. UNICEF and WFP also rolled out a joint augmented response to address the alarming food insecurity and malnutrition levels, both in drought-affected areas and in internally displaced persons (IDPs) settlements.
- Since the start of the year, more than 10,000 cases of AWD/cholera have been reported in Somalia. With 480 deaths reported, the case fatality rate stands at 4.4 per cent, well above the 1 per cent emergency threshold. Children under-5 bear the biggest brunt; according to WHO, children account for 59 per cent of the cases. Of all cases, 47 per cent were women and girls.
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
From January to June 2016, UNICEF responded to the impact of El Niño in the northern regions of Somalia. Parts of Puntland and Somaliland experienced severe drought conditions following successive seasons of below-average rains. An estimated 1.7 million people or nearly 40 per cent of the 4.6 million people living in Puntland and Somaliland were in need of some humanitarian assistance and livelihood support. Nearly 100,000 children under-5 were also estimated to be acutely malnourished and in urgent need of treatment.
Since the start of the year, more than 10,000 cases of AWD/cholera have been reported in Somalia. With 480 deaths , the case fatality rate stands at 4.4 per cent, well above the 1 per cent emergency threshold. Children under-5 bear the biggest brunt; according to WHO, children account for 59 per cent of the cases. Of all cases, 47 per cent were women and girls. Banadir, Bay, Lower and Middle Juba, Lower and Middle Shabelle, and Hiraan are the most affected regions, with the cholera outbreak confirmed in 15 districts to date. Floods and displacements in parts of southern Somalia have also likely contributed to the expansion of the outbreak.