USAID/OFDA Southern Somalia Humanitarian Update

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001875 SIPDIS AIDAC AFDROUGHT SIPDIS STATE FOR NGAREY STATE PASS TO USAID/W USAID/W FOR AA/DCHA, WGARVELINK, LROGERS DCHA/OFDA FOR GGOTTLIEB, PMORRIS, CGOTTSCHALK, KCHANNELL DCHA/FFP FOR JDWORKEN, MANDERSON AFR/EA FOR JBORNS USUN FOR EMALY ADDIS ABABA FOR JAUGSBERGER BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER ROME FOR FODAG GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SO SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA Southern Somalia Humanitarian Update Summary ¶1. Somalia is experiencing the worst drought in a decade, compounded Malnutrition Rising While food insecurity is chronic throughout southern Somalia, malnutr In Gedo Region, the USAID-supported Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU In Bay Region, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Switzerland conducted a In Bakool Region, FSAU, Action Contre la Faim (ACF),and the U.N. Chi Between January and March, however, USAID/OFDA partners report that a In Juba Valley Region, FSAU sentinel site surveillance reveals that a In response to increasing reports of malnutrition in southern Somalia Drought Affecting Health Malnourished and drought-weakened communities are increasingly suscep Polio resurfaced in Somalia for the first time since 2002. WHO confi WHO also reported an increase in measles cases treated at health faci Water Remains Scarce Access to safe water is a cross-cutting issue, affecting livelihoods, From April 15 to 20, USAID/OFDA partner Adventist Development and Rel U.N. agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),a USAID/OFDA has partnered with UNICEF to carry out emergency water int Depleted Livestock, Agriculture, and Livelihoods Limited access to potable water remains critical and household food s USAID/OFDA partners note that cattle deaths were above normal levels To mitigate the effects of high livestock mortality and low prices, d USAID/OFDA partner World Concern, operational in Juba riverine areas, To help prepare farmers for the current planting season, World Vision Rains Begin The long rains arrived in full force in April in parts southern and n FEWS NET reports that rainfall was 60 to 100 percent above normal bet Localized flash floods occurred along the Juba and Shabelle rivers as USAID/OFDA patners report that scattered rains are replenishing water According to World Vision, in the agricultural districts of Tieglow, Conclusions and Recommendations Although the long rainy season is generally off to a good start, it i The humanitarian situation and response in southern Somalia requires If the long rains are below normal, increased numbers of vulnerable p Food assistance will be vital throughout the year to prevent a furthe Aside from food assistance, USAID/OFDA, through partner UNICEF, is ad In addition to support for water, health, and nutrition, livelihood s BELLAMY