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Somalia has long been very difficult but was never
impossible. Following an announcement that
restrictions in the area would be eased our member
agencies have been seeking to build on their existing
work to reach more of those worst affected by the
famine. Today’s announcement makes clear quite how
critical those efforts will be if we are to avoid deaths
on a massive scale. If we can increase the number of
people we are reaching at the epicentre of this
catastrophe we can still save many lives.”
DEC announces
East Africa Crisis Appeal
DEC member agencies are continuing to scale up
their work in south and central Somalia in response to
what the UN has now recognised as the first famine in
the region since south Sudan in 1998.
The UN declared a famine this morning in the regions
of Bakool and Lower Shabelle with other areas
expected to follow as more information becomes
available and the situation continues to deteriorate.
The UN said malnutrition (GAM) has reached 50% in
some areas. A level of 15% is considered an
emergency, with 30% or more being one of the
indicators of famine. In addition, more than six
children under five per 10,000 are dying each day.
Ten of the 14 agencies that make up the DEC are
working in Somalia directly or through partners,
including in some cases in the south or centre of the
country.
DEC member agencies and their partners operate
under strict rules of humanitarian impartiality and
independence to ensure continued safe access to as
many people in need of help as possible but the
situation in Somalia is exceptionally challenging.
Disasters Emergency Committee Chief Executive
Brendan Gormley said: “Access to south and central
The humanitarian crisis in Somalia has been caused
by a combination of factors including severe drought,
rising food and fuel prices, chronic poverty and
conflict.
The United Nations has called for aid agencies to
increase their work in Somalia to ensure help gets to
those who need it. This followed last week’s
announcement by one party to the conflict that it
easing access to foreign agencies working in the
areas it controls.
Activities of DEC members and their partners in
Somalia include:
CARE is providing assistance with food, water, wells
and cash to the most vulnerable households in
Puntland and Somaliland.
Concern Worldwide is working in south and central
Somalia providing food vouchers, water, household
items and healthcare for malnourished children and
mothers.
British Red Cross’ partner in Somali is providing
healthcare in Puntland and Somaliland, food for the
most vulnerable and wells. It has also distributed
seeds and tools in south and central Somalia ahead
of hoped for rains.
Merlin is providing emergency healthcare and food in
central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland.
Save the Children is providing supplementary feeding
for vulnerable children and cash to vulnerable
households in Somaliland and Puntland.
Islamic Relief is providing food, water, sanitation and
healthcare in Mogadishu, Somaliland, Puntland and
South Central Somalia.
Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk by phone
0370 60 60 900 or by texting ‘CRISIS’ to 70000 to
donate £5 or by post at PO Box 999 London EC3A
3AA.
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