By Abdalle Ahmed
MOGADISHU (RBC) Between late 2010 and early 2012, southern and central Somalia experienced severe food insecurity and malnutrition precipitated by a prolonged period of drought resulting the death of 260,000 people in Somalia, a new report said.
The report which is published on Thursday mentions that 50% of the people died in the famine were children under five years old. 18% of them lived in the Shabeelle regions in southern Somalia.
According to Food Security Technical Manager, Tamara Nanitashvili who spoke to reporters in Mogadishu the report contributes to greater understanding of the crisis and the preparedness of the international community in the coming future.
“This report is based on 40% from survey made and 60% from predictions to figure out the mortality among populations of southern and central Somalia.” Nanitashvili said.
The most surprising thing is that the report confirms that something should have done more before famine was declared on 20 July 2011.
“Warnings that began as far back as the drought in 2010 did not trigger sufficient early action. In the worst affected areas, access to people in need was tremendously difficult. The suffering played out like a drama without witnesses.” The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Philippe Lazzarini said today in a press conference in Mogadishu.
“When famine was declared, a massive mobilization of the humanitarian community helped mitigate the worst effects of the crisis. We reached previously inaccessible areas through innovative programming and by strengthening local partnerships.” he said.
The Humanitarian Office in Somalia says it is working with its partners to change the way they operate. With 2.7 million people still in need of life-saving assistance and support to build up their livelihoods, and to redouble efforts to invest in Somalia’s people and communities to break the cycle of crisis and response.
“We are seeking ways to bridge humanitarian and development work which will be crucial to consolidating the resilience of Somalia’s people and communities.” Lazzarini added.
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