Somalia continues to make important progress with the establishment of permanent political institutions, paving the way towards a future with greater peace. This is yet, however, to translate into an improvement for the majority of Somalis in terms of their daily food security and nutrition, access to safe water, sanitation and healthcare and protection.
Following four consecutive poor rainy seasons in 2016 and 2017, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated to a point where over half of the population is in need of assistance, jeopardizing critical gains made in recent years.
The working environment for humanitarian staff remains challenging and high-risk in spite of strong Government efforts to create a conducive climate of convergence and cooperation.
Humanitarian assistance was scaled-up massively in 2017 and famine has successfully been averted so far, thanks to collective Somali and international efforts. However, all indications are that the effects of the continuing drought will extend into 2018, with the current 2017 Deyr season already underperforming and the Gu rains (April-June) projected to be below average.
The devastating drought is referred to as “sima” in Somali, meaning the great leveler, making all equal, reflecting how the drought has touched nearly every part of the country with crushing effects.
More than one million people have been displaced, malnutrition rates are above emergency levels and major outbreaks of Acute Watery Diarrhea/cholera and measles have taken a heavy toll on the most vulnerable.
All of this comes in the context of conflict in many portions of the country. We should not let our collective and effective response thus far lull us into thinking that the requirement has been fulfilled.