Somalia relies heavily on imported food to feed its people. However, the rising cost of food on the global market and the devaluation of the Somali currency have pushed prices beyond the reach of most families. Because of drought, local harvests have also been poor, and the cost of locally produced food has also risen.
In Somalia, the price of many cereals have climbed at record levels, by between 100 and 375 percent. Unable to afford food, people have used up their reserves and now have nothing left. The increasing cost of food, poor rains and a deepening drought, have pushed the number of people reliant on humanitarian assistance up to 2.6 million.
Currently over 22 percent of Somali children are malnourished. Typically during food shortages most of the children suffering from malnutrition are from rural areas. However, in Somalia rates of malnutrition among the urban poor are rising.
Islamic Relief in Somalia
Shihab Babiker is Islamic Relief ’s Country Director in Somalia. He explains how the global food crisis has affected the war-torn country.
“Food prices in Somalia have been increasing since last year,” said Babiker. “They are now at the stage where 80 percent of the population can’t afford to buy food. For example, the cost of flour and rice has almost doubled in the last year. The consequence of the increase in price is that rates of hunger are spreading throughout the country. This is affecting the security and peace of the country.”
“Children who have been displaced by the fighting are particularly vulnerable, and many are dying from hunger,” Babiker explained. “Hundreds of deaths are reported every month as a result of hunger and malnutrition. Almost all displaced families are suffering from malnutrition and all say that their only worry is how to get enough food.” Babiker continued, “The food crisis has caused instability, conflict and security threats across the country. People are forced to rob in order to survive. Many youth and bandits attack wherever they can, without seeming to care who dies. This is increasing conflict between clans and is hampering the ability of aid agencies to deliver essential humanitarian aid.”
“There have been almost continuous riots and demonstrations in many areas of Puntland where Islamic Relief works, especially in the main towns of Bossaso, Garowe and Galkaio. Most of the people involved in these incidents are those who are the poorest and those who have been displaced.”
Babiker explained, “Islamic Relief is carrying out water trucking in Mogadishu and 21 communities in Puntland that have been affected by drought and food shortages. This provides people with the water they need to survive and is also helping to reduce the incidences of waterborne diseases in the region. We are also distributing monthly food rations to over 2,000 displaced families living in the Afgoi area and have set up a mobile medical team.” |