The impacts of climate change, a global pandemic and internal conflict have left Somalia on the brink of a humanitarian disaster.

One in four people are currently at risk of food insecurity as a result of the threats facing the country reports the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Many have fled conflicts that have started across the country, focusing on reaching Mogadishu, where people felt they would be safer from the violence being seen in many villages. However, the extra pressure on resources caused by an influx of migrants has led to food shortages and issues sourcing work. Many workers in the city would have sourced manual work but due to Covid-19, people were unable to get jobs and faced the threat of catching the virus as a result of having to live in crowded unhygienic dwellings.

As a result of the combined threats, the IFRC recognises that Somalia is one of the riskiest places to live at present. One of the major concerns is that more than 800,000 children under the age of five are at risk of malnutrition.

For more on this report, read the article on the Guardian website.

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Somalia at risk from multiple issues

Joanne Parkinson

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