Drought and conflict in Somalia

Years of conflict and drought have left many people struggling to survive a humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia.

The situation

Somalia is suffering its worst drought in years and failed rains – most areas across the country have received between zero and 15 percent of the usual rainfall. More than 2.4 million people there are dependent on emergency humanitarian assistance. With the current drought, it is expected that those numbers will rise.

Most rural Somalis are pastoralists, herding camels, goats and sheep. The lack of pasture and water has led to deaths of cattle on a large scale, leaving families unable to cope with the loss of food and livelihood.

In addition, the two decade long conflict in Somalia has left the country divided, and humanitarian access in many areas remains difficult due to the conflict. This is particularly true in South Central Somalia, where the drought affects are the worst.

Over the last few years, more than a million people have been forced to flee their homes due to extreme violence across the country.

What needs to be done

Aid agencies are able to provide only a fraction of the assistance needed by the millions of people in crisis inside Somalia because of extreme violence and the increasing targeting of aid workers.

More than 30 aid workers were killed in 2008 while trying to carry out their work in Somalia.

All parties to the conflict have been accused of committing war crimes in Somalia – and it is ordinary civilians who continue to bear the brunt of these atrocities. All parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and stop the killing of innocent civilians immediately.

The international community must urgently focus on policies that work to address the humanitarian crisis engulfing the country and show a commitment to enforcing existing international laws by holding accountable all those committing atrocities inside Somalia.

Oxfam is there

Working through local partners in Somalia, Oxfam programs have benefited more than 500,000 people in 2010, and support continues – despite severe access difficulties. Read about Oxfam's humanitarian response to the 2011 famine in Somalia.
 
Programs have included support for livelihoods, water for nearly 200,000 people, sanitation, and emergency food for malnourished children.

Since 2009, the Community-based Therapeutic Care (CTC) program in Mogadishu, has treated 92,000 malnourished children and mothers. This is the largest program treating malnutrition in the capital. Partly funded by Oxfam, the program is implemented through SAACID, a local NGO partner.

Like in other emergencies, we're also actively engaged in regional and international lobbying on issues related to the crisis in Somalia, including calling for ordinary Somalis to be able to access the aid they desperately need.

Donate

Please consider helping fund our emergency work in East Africa. These Oxfam affiliates are running direct appeals for this food crisis:

• Oxfam America
• Oxfam Australia
• Oxfam-in-Belgium
• Oxfam Canada
  
• Oxfam GB
• Oxfam Germany
• Oxfam Hong Kong
• Intermon Oxfam (Spain)
• Oxfam Ireland
• Oxfam Italy
• Oxfam New Zealand
• Oxfam Quebec

You can also make a donation to the general emergency fund of your nearest national Oxfam affiliate. Your money will be used to fund our emergency work worldwide, which includes responding in countries such as Somalia.

Read more

> Read how Oxfam is responding to the famine and food crisis across East Africa

> As drought weakens Somalia, children regain strength here