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Somalia: Humanitarian Snapshot, August 2013 | Issued on 05 September 2013

Countries
Somalia
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

FOOD SECURITY

The number of people in crisis in Somalia is at its lowest since famine was declared in 2011 according to a joint report by Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). This is attributed to successive seasons of average to above average rainfall, low food prices and sustained humanitarian response. However, the gains are fragile and the humanitarian needs in Somalia remain enormous, with an estimated 870,000 people expected to remain in crisis and emergency between August and December 2013.

Nearly 2.3 million other people who recently emerged from crisis could fall back without sustained support, as they may struggle to meet their minimal food requirements through the end of the year.
Malnutrition rates remain among the highest in the world, with 206,000 children under the age of 5 acutely malnourished. About two-thirds of the acutely malnourished children are in southern Somalia. Internally Displaced People in Somalia constitute more than two-thirds of the 870,000 people in crisis.

POLIO CAMPAIGN

Polio vaccination campaigns continue across Somalia. So far 162 wild polio virus (WPV) cases have been reported in 13 regions.

Four million people have been immunised in ongoing mass vaccination campaigns, however access in some parts of south-central Somalia remain a challenge. Analysis shows that as many as 70% of children in inaccessible areas are not immunized.

MSF WITHDARAWAL

On 14 August, Médicin Sans Frontières (MSF) announced the closure of all its programmes in Somalia after 22 years of operation.

The withdrawal of all 5 MSF chapters from Somalia is expected to leave a significant gap in the health and nutrition sectors. Humanitarian partners are working towards minimizing this gap.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.