The deputy director of WFP Somalia Mrs Denise Brown has declared that there is catastrophic humanitarian situation in Somalia mainly central Somalia.

Speaking to Shabelle Radio by phone Mrs Brown has acknowledged that 2.6m people are poverty-stricken those need emergency assistance in the next year saying that its expected to enlarge the number of people in need emergence food and water that might reach up-to 3.5m people that is half of Somali population.

“ As WFP we will do our best to rally round the Somalis living in harsh life” Brown said in the interview.

Asked about the challenges that WFP workers face in Somalia she insisted that their main challenges are the roadblocks that she said it costs more money to pass the roads in safety.
“The central Somali regions are the worst hit by stern droughts” she added.

She lastly told that they would corporate with the other aid agencies like Care international to reach droughts hit central Somalia regions.

The food security situation in Somalia is worsening. Findings from the recent FAO/FSAU food security assessments indicate that most of central Somalia is now in Humanitarian Emergency and about 600,000 urban poor now face severe food shortages.

Since WFP's BR in February for 1.4 million beneficiaries, the number of people in need of assistance increased to 1.9 million in April and now to 2.6 million. FSAU has warned that the number could reach 3.5 million by the end of this year.

WFP Somalia has secured a loan of 7,000 mt of sorghum from the South Sudan operation; the food is currently in Mombasa port and will be diverted to the Somalia operation. Both offices are discussing a possible diversion of another 10,000 mt expected soon at Sudan port.

With the 7,000 mt loan, the shortfall between May and July has reduced from 23,000 mt to 16,000 mt and will further reduce to 6,000 mt, if CO secures the loan of 10,000 mt.

Cereal prices have soared by up to 375 percent in Somalia in the last year and are now at historic highs. The urban poor are cutting down on the food they buy, changing to cheaper cereals and reducing the number of meals. Somalia normally imports 60 percent of its food needs.

Shabelle Media Network
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