4.4 million Somalis face severe hunger: Disaster agency - Africa
Somalia is grappling with a resurgence of the extremist militant group Al-Shabaab, alongside clashes between regional forces and the federal army.
The Horn of Africa nation is among the most vulnerable to climate change, according to the United Nations, and in the last five years has experienced both the worst drought in four decades and once-in-a-century flooding.
The food crisis has surged 29 percent since earlier this year, driven by prolonged drought, conflict and reduced humanitarian assistance, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) said.
"Somalia faces a severe food security crisis with an estimated 4.4 million people experiencing acute food insecurity," SoDMA said in an X statement.
Around 2.5 million people in northern Somalia face moderate to severe drought across 26 districts, with over 850,000 in the hardest-hit areas.
The agency said roughly 1.7 million under-five-year-olds were acutely malnourished, 466,000 of them in a critical condition.
In recent weeks, clashes in Gedo region -- in Jubaland state, long at odds with the central government -- have displaced 38,000 people internally and forced 10,200 across the Kenyan border.
Health services have been affected by the conflict and cuts to humanitarian aid, with services reduced or suspended in 21 districts across nine regions.
The federal government said it had pledged $700,000 to support the drought-stricken population.
US cuts to foreign aid this year have hit countries such as Somalia, which was already under-funded.
British charity Save the Children warned in May that funding shortfalls would force it to shut more than a quarter of its health and nutrition facilities in Somalia.
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Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
4.4 million Somalis face severe hunger: Disaster agency - Africa
More than four million people in Somalia face "acute food insecurity", while over 100,000 have been displaced by conflict since June, its disaster authorities said Thursday. Somalia is grappling with a resurgence of the extremist militant group Al-Shabaab, alongside clashes between regional forces and the federal army. The Horn of Africa nation is among the most vulnerable to climate change, according to the United Nations, and in the last five years has experienced both the worst drought in four decades and once-in-a-century flooding. The food crisis has surged 29 percent since earlier this year, driven by prolonged drought, conflict and reduced humanitarian assistance, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) said. "Somalia faces a severe food security crisis with an estimated 4.4 million people experiencing acute food insecurity," SoDMA said in an X statement. Around 2.5 million people in northern Somalia face moderate to severe drought across 26 districts, with over 850,000 in the hardest-hit areas. The agency said roughly 1.7 million under-five-year-olds were acutely malnourished, 466,000 of them in a critical condition. In recent weeks, clashes in Gedo region -- in Jubaland state, long at odds with the central government -- have displaced 38,000 people internally and forced 10,200 across the Kenyan border. Health services have been affected by the conflict and cuts to humanitarian aid, with services reduced or suspended in 21 districts across nine regions. The federal government said it had pledged $700,000 to support the drought-stricken population. US cuts to foreign aid this year have hit countries such as Somalia, which was already under-funded. British charity Save the Children warned in May that funding shortfalls would force it to shut more than a quarter of its health and nutrition facilities in Somalia. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Expelling patients
Before I started working in England, I worked at the Al-Abbassia Hospital for Mental Health in Egypt. It's one of the largest and oldest mental health hospitals, not just in Egypt but perhaps in the world. The hospital was a refuge for mentally ill patients in Egypt, especially from the poor classes who couldn't afford the costs of psychological treatment, whether for outpatient clinics or hospitalization. Despite its simple resources and limited budget, it helped treat many patients who had nowhere else to go. This was done at symbolic prices, like one pound for a ticket and free hospitalization, or LE 3,000 per month for 'economic' hospitalization. This was a fraction of the cost, considering that the cheapest stay at a decent private hospital could be ten times that price. On Tuesday, I was left speechless by a strange and, I'm sure, unstudied decision. With just one minute of thought, you'd realize this will lead to disaster. The decision is that there will be no more free hospitalization. Now, the minimum cost for a stay is LE 4,500 per month, rising to LE 11,500 per month. Meanwhile, the patients who come here couldn't even afford the one-pound ticket in the first place! Imagine telling the family of a psychotic patient who is a danger to themselves and others—and of which all global research says needs immediate hospitalization—to bring LE4,500 or LE11,500 and then we'll admit them, no problem. This is happening at a time when countries all over the world view mental health as a necessary and completely free service because of the danger it poses to the patient's own life and those of others. Here, not only are you making it cost money, but you're making it unaffordable for most of the people who come to this hospital. You're essentially telling them, 'If you don't have money, stay sick. May God be with you.' Mental health in Egypt is heading down a very bad path if this decision is not reversed as soon as possible. Silence is dangerous, and staying quiet means we are complicit in the collapse of what little mental healthcare we have left in Egypt.' The doctor knows everything about what is happening at the Al-Abbassia mental health hospital. He knows very well the patients' socioeconomic classes and their circumstances. He also knows that a patient with psychosis, for example, must be admitted immediately because they are a danger to themselves and others. Should money, which their families lack, prevent their admission? Should we leave them on the street or with their families to commit a crime without even knowing what they are doing because of their condition? I learned from a doctor at the hospital that the Prime Minister's Office had asked the hospital about the proposed fees for raising ticket prices, treatment, and admission costs. The hospital management responded by rejecting the price hike, stating that the patients could not afford it. Nevertheless, the decision to raise the fees was issued. As a result, families have been bringing their patients only to leave with them without admission or treatment. It's important to note that the new prices only cover admission and food, not treatment or examinations. So, where are these families supposed to get all of this money for a patient who is already unable to work and earn an income? Even in the hospital's children's clinic, families have been bringing their children and leaving without treatment because they cannot afford the required costs. I have a strong connection to the Al-Abbassia Mental Health Hospital. A long time ago, I conducted a journalistic campaign inside the hospital that later turned into a book titled 'The Yellow Palace.' During that campaign, I learned a great deal about the hospital and its patients. I can't forget the psychosis ward, where the patients were dangerous to themselves and others. When I read the doctor's post, that specific ward came to mind, despite the many years that have passed. I imagined those patients being kicked out into their homes or onto the streets, and the extreme danger that represents. How was this decision made, and who made it? Author's bio: Karima Kamal, a prolific writer and journalist, has held key positions in the media industry. She served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sabah al-Kheir magazine, co-founded Al-Badil newspaper, and authored six books. Her contributions to journalism and women's rights were recognized through her appointments to the Supreme Council for the Press and the National Council for Women.
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
27 Western countries issue joint call for unimpeded aid access to Gaza
Twenty-seven Western countries and entities, including Britain, France, and the European Union, on Monday issued a joint statement condemning the humanitarian situation in Gaza and demanding that Israel allow all international NGO aid shipments into the besieged enclave. The statement, signed by the foreign ministers of countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, and Spain, also stressed the need for a ceasefire, an end to the war, and the release of all hostages. 'The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached incredible levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes,' the statement, published by the British government, read. 'Urgent action must be taken now to halt and reverse the famine. The humanitarian space must be protected, and aid must not be politicised.' The ministers called on Israel to grant permits for all international NGO aid shipments and lift barriers to their operations, warning that restrictive new registration conditions could soon force essential international NGOs to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories, further worsening the humanitarian situation. 'Lethal force must not be used at aid distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel must be protected,' the statement added, calling for immediate steps to facilitate safe and widespread access for the U.N. and other partners. It urged the use of all crossings and routes to allow aid, including food, fuel, clean water, and medical supplies, to flow into Gaza. The signatories also expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt in pushing for a ceasefire and seeking peace. The joint statement comes amid growing international pressure on Israel. U.N. humanitarian organisations have demanded 'urgent action' after medical sources in Gaza announced that more than 100 children have died from malnutrition since the war began in October 2023. The total number of victims of famine and malnutrition in the strip has risen to 227, including 103 children, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing medical sources. Last week, foreign ministers from nine Western countries and the EU expressed their opposition to the Israeli government's plan to expand military operations in Gaza, stating that the decision would exacerbate the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation, threaten the lives of hostages, and increase the risk of mass displacement of civilians.'
