Biological Consequences

Biological Consequences

Part 1 - Crises in Somalia

UN officials is promoting caused by drought and war in Somalia, warned that tens of thousands of children at risk of dying. Children are suffering adverse effects of malnutrition and exhaustion of the long journey on foot. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned that the movement of people and poor sanitation in overcrowded camps and cities are increasing the risk of typhoid fever and cholera, and measles epidemics. A total of some 10 million people in Northern Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and South Sudan are in need of emergency in the region because of serious regional drought in 60 years.

More than six months after famine was declared by the United Nations (UN), Somalia is still in the throes of its worst humanitarian crisis in decades. More than 325,000 children are suffering acute malnutrition inside Somalia, and 31 per cent of the total population is estimated to be in crisis, while hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring countries.

An earlier response to famine warnings would have saved many more lives; nonetheless a large scale-up of the international response since July 2011 and the endeavors of Somali communities and civil society have brought about significant improvements in malnutrition and mortality rates. However, the ability of those in direst need of access to lifesaving assistance has in some areas deteriorated, threatening these gains and constraining the scale-up of vital livelihoods support that can build people's resilience to future environmental shocks. A key factor was the expulsion of seventeen aid agencies from opposition-controlled regions of south and central Somalia in November 2011 and January 2012, and suspension of operations by two agencies in response to insecurity and to constraints imposed by local authorities. This has drastically reduced the response capacity in many areas. In addition, although it ...