HARGEISA(Wajaalenews) The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on Tuesday following a briefing from Special committee updating the cabinet on the drought and food shortages in the country.

The statement said the drought was affecting several regions including Gedo, Bakool, Hiran, Galgudud and Mudug and aid, in the form of food, water and medication, is urgently needed to reach the affected populations.

It said it anticipated that the situation would continue to deteriorate.

The Government had already allocated 500,000 dollars for drought relief and distribution of aid would start shortly.

The statement said there are many challenges which could slow down or even delay the emergency response. These included illegal Al- Shabaab checkpoints and “pockets of violence in certain regions”.

The Somali National Army was ready to assist but it lacked the necessary transport. The Government therefore requested the immediate assistance of the United Nations and AMISOM to help deliver food to the people living in regions which have been liberated.

The Government appreciated the efforts of the many countries and other international agencies which had already responded to calls for assistance but also said it needed more help and called on the international community and the United Nations to assist in the implementation of the Somali emergency plan “in order to prevent the return of the deadly humanitarian crisis of 2011 famine” when up to 250,000 died.

Last month the UN warned that Somalia was sliding back into an acute hunger crisis, with parts of the capital Mogadishu facing near famine-level shortages and aid organizations unable to meet the needs of about 350,000 displaced people there.

Source: ERTA