Somali drought (2021–2023)
| Somali drought | |
|---|---|
 February 2022 map with Integrated Food Security phase classifications from "minimal" to "famine" | |
| Country | Somalia |
| Location | East Africa |
| Period | 2021-2023 |
| Excess mortality | 43,000 (2022 estimate)[1] |
| Refugees | Over one million (2022)[2] |
| Theory | severe drought, irregular rainfall |
During 2021–2023, Somalia confronted its most severe drought in forty years that affected over 7.8 million people —about half of Somalia’s population.[3] As of 2024, drought-related impacts still continue to affect 4.4 million individuals across Somalia, who face including acute food insecurity. This includes an estimated 724,000 people at Integrated Food Security phase 4 (Emergency).[4][5]
Over 80% of the country was suffering a severe drought. In affected areas up to 20% of the population have experienced shortages of water, food and pasture.[6] More than one million Somalis were displaced in 2022,[7] and over 300,000 people were still displaced in 2023.[8]
Causes
[edit]Climate change is a major cause with climate related hazards on the increase.[9]
Impact
[edit]- The drought has had a devastating impact on Somalia's agriculture sector, which constitutes up to 26% of the country's GDP, employs 90% of the informal workforce, and contributes 90% of its exports. Since mid-2021, one-third of the livestock in the most severely affected regions have died.[10]
- Reduced access to surface water for both livestock and human use, alongside a shortage of available pasture, has severely impacted agricultural communities across the region. Some regions have seen up to a 70% reduction in crop yields.[11]
- Particularly in central regions and in Puntland, communities are relying on boreholes as most shallow wells and berkads have dried up,
- The below-average Deyr rains, coupled with insufficient rainfall in the upper river catchments of the Ethiopian highlands, have led to a decline in water levels of the Juba and Shabelle rivers.[12]
Humanitarian situation
[edit]In 2022, 71% of people in Somalia were living beneath the poverty threshold.[13] The number of people requiring assistance peaked in 2023 and reached about 8.25 million.[14] While situation improved since then, in February 2024:[15]
- 6.9M are still in need of humanitarian assistance.
- 4M people are facing acute food insecurity
- 1.7M of children are facing acute malnutrition
Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia
[edit]The Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Somalia has undergone significant revisions over the years to address the evolving needs of its population. Here's a summary of the calls and responses from 2021 to 2023:
- 2021 HRP: The 2021 plan aimed to support 4 out of the 5.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, requiring a budget of $1.09 billion.[16] The total funding received was about 79% of the requested $1.09 billion.[17]
- 2022 HRP: The needs for the 2022 HRP grew significantly, driven by ongoing drought conditions and increasing displacement. It sought to assist 5.5 million people, with initial funding request of $1.46 billion.[18] The response was scaled up to $2.1 billion,[19] reaching 7.3 million individuals despite challenges in funding and security.[20]
- 2023 HRP: In 2023, the number of people needing urgent assistance soared further, with 8.25 million people requiring humanitarian aid.[15] The plan for 2023 sought $2.6 billion to respond to the needs, as famine risk remained high.[20] However, only 46% of the requested budget were eventually allocated.[21]
See also
[edit]- 2017 Somali drought
- Food security
- Water security
- Horn of Africa drought (2020–2023)
- Climate change in Somalia
References
[edit]- ^ "New study finds that 43 000 "excess deaths" may have occurred in 2022 from the drought in Somalia". PMNCH. WHO. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Somalia 2023". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Partnerships and Data Sharing Enhance Delivery of Somalia Drought Relief". World Bank. 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia: Acute Food Insecurity Situation July to September 2024 and Projection October to December 2024". IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification). 2024-09-23. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Crisis in Somalia: What You Need to Know and How to Help". International Rescue Committee. April 29, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "UN sounds alarm on Somalia's 'rapidly worsening' drought". Al Jazeera. 19 Nov 2021. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Somalia 2023". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Over 1 million people internally displaced in Somalia in record time". UNHCR. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Worsening drought affects 2.3 million people in Somalia". UN News. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 (February 2023) - Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Drought in the Horn of Africa - Regional analysis (February 2023) - Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia: Drought Situation Report No.3 (As of 20 January 2022) - Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "2022 Somalia Humanitarian Needs Overview | OCHA". www.unocha.org. 2021-10-24. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 (February 2023) | OCHA". www.unocha.org. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ a b "Somalia Monthly Humanitarian Update, February 2024 | OCHA". www.unocha.org. 2024-03-17. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia: Humanitarian Response Plan 2021 (February 2021) - Somalia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan 2021 | Financial Tracking Service". fts.unocha.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan 2022 (December 2021)". library.alnap.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan 2022 | Financial Tracking Service". fts.unocha.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ a b "Humanitarian partners seek US$2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people in Somalia | United Nations in Somalia". somalia.un.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 | Financial Tracking Service". fts.unocha.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.