The Federal Republic of Somalia’s President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo has declared the drought a national disaster. He appealed to the international community to urgently respond so as to assist the families and individuals in the east African nation in order to avoid a humanitarian tragedy.
The President also called on the Somali business community and diaspora to assist the affected areas to mitigate the impact of the drought.
According to the United Nations, at least 2.9 million people in Somalia urgently need food and livelihoods assistance and 185,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
More than 135,000 people inside Somalia have been displaced since November last year.
The President has declared a National Disaster to deal with the humanitarian emergency in all areas affected by the current drought.
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) February 28, 2017
BAAQ: Abaaraha waa musiibo qaran oo u baahan gargaar degdeg ah. Beesha Caalamka, Qurbajoogta & Ganacsatada waa inay ka qeyb-qaataan gurmadka pic.twitter.com/NVW5VWMiLJ
— Mohamed Farmaajo (@M_Farmaajo) February 28, 2017