The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is urgently in need of $228 million to amplify its humanitarian operations in Somalia to combat widespread food shortages and malnutrition affecting millions. Securing this funding is crucial for the period spanning from April to September of this year, with a staggering $208 million needed for life-saving interventions.
Recent evaluations depict an alarming scenario where approximately 3.4 million individuals will grapple with acute food scarcities between April and June. There is a glimmer of hope as pasture and agricultural water sources are becoming more abundant, especially in rural regions. Nonetheless, the task ahead remains formidable, with 1.7 million children under the age of five facing the looming threat of acute malnutrition, including 430,000 who are at risk of life-threatening severe malnutrition in 2024.
In the month of March, WFP managed to assist 2 million people by disbursing $31 million in cash transfers and distributing 3,205 metric tons of food, while also extending a government-led safety net program to an additional 232,000 individuals.
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To enhance its response further, WFP has forged a new alliance with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), concentrating on utilizing cash-based transfers to meet the food and nutritional necessities of refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees for the upcoming six months.
The forthcoming Gu rainy season is anticipated to bring normal to above-average rainfall, raising concerns about potential flooding and displacement during April and May. Nevertheless, this would mark the third consecutive season of favorable rainfall, providing a glimmer of hope for the gradual recovery of the agricultural and livestock sectors.
WFP is continuously enhancing its operational capabilities through strategic alliances and innovative initiatives like the Farm2go app, which facilitates the connection between small-scale farmers and markets. The agency is closely collaborating with various ministries to enhance healthcare logistics and promote environmental sustainability.
WFP extends its appreciation to its international donors for their unwavering support, emphasizing the critical necessity for additional funding to sustain and expand its endeavors in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.