ReliefWeb

The humanitarian situation in Somalia has continued to deteriorate due to the ongoing impacts of drought and conflict. An estimated 6.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 3.1 million who urgently require sustained, life-saving services and protection.3 Despite the provision of large-scale assistance in 2017, the risk of famine persists. An estimated 1.2 million children are or will be acutely malnourished, including more than 232,000 children who are at risk of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) over the next year.4 Recurrent disease outbreaks—including acute watery diarrhoea/cholera—represent a major threat to children, with more than 78,300 reported cases and 1,118 deaths, as well as over 19,000 reported measles cases in 2017. In 2018, an estimated 4.4 million people will require water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Drought and conflict continue to cause displacement, with more than 2.1 million people displaced,5 and nearly 80,000 children out of school due to displacement6. Grave violations of children's rights are on the rise, including forced recruitment into armed groups and gender-based violence, which disproportionately impact women and children. With another poor rainy season unfolding, the critical humanitarian needs in Somalia are projected to continue into 2018.