United Nations, Dec 23 || Drought is affecting an estimated more than 4.6 million people in Somalia, around a quarter of the population, a UN spokesperson said.
UN partners indicate that at least 120,000 people were displaced between September and December, as water prices soar, food becomes increasingly scarce, livestock die, and livelihoods collapse, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing on Monday.
He said education has also been severely affected, with more than 75,000 students forced to drop out of school nationwide.
Dujarric noted that the upcoming dry season between January and March in the country is expected to make drought conditions worse, with increased water scarcity and higher livestock mortality anticipated, potentially intensifying food insecurity in many parts of the country, news agency reported.
Authorities are appealing for urgent assistance to avert a possible collapse of pastoral and farming livelihoods and to prevent avoidable loss of life. They warn that the next four months will be critical, as the next rainy season is not expected until April 2026, said the spokesperson.