MOGADISHU, Somalia — According to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, food insecurity in Somalia has reached critical levels. The latest assessments show that Emergency food insecurity (IPC 4) is prevalent in northern, central, and Juba pastoral areas, as well as in Bay and Bakool agropastoral regions, with pockets of households facing the Catastrophe level (IPC 5).
The situation is exacerbated by consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, leading to increased livestock deaths and negligible milk production. The impact is further compounded by soaring food and water prices, which have surged due to a national average increase in fuel prices of 70% since the Middle Eastern conflict began.
Northern and central pastoral areas are forecasted to remain at Emergency levels through September. Debt repayments and persistently high food prices are adding to the burden on vulnerable households. Herd sizes and milk availability are expected to remain low, restricting access to marketable animals and supplemental food and income.
Limited improvements are anticipated between June and September. Acute malnutrition is expected to worsen with the seasonal increase in waterborne diseases. Internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly those recently displaced, are of particular concern due to their limited livelihood options, minimal access to social support, and dependence on the market, making them highly susceptible to price shocks.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
