- 3 mins read time
- Published: 19th July 2022
350,000 children are at risk in Somalia
Your support is vital
In April, the UN predicted that 350,000 of the 1.4 million severely malnourished children in Somalia could die by the summer if the world did not take urgent action. That’s the equivalent of over four times the capacity of Croke Park. The impact of the food crisis in Somalia is hitting the poorest and youngest hardest.
The 18-month-old baby girl (pictured above) from Garowe, Somalia was at risk, but her parents carried her and her five-year-old brother to an Oxfam-supported camp to get help. When her mother and father were forced to leave their land, they carried not only their two children but also their two remaining goats.
These goats were the final survivors from the family’s herd of 150. Before the drought, this family could rely on their herd for milk, meat, and money. Now the remaining goats are too weak to produce milk.
Four consecutive seasons of failed rains has left this family with nothing. Now they can no longer cope. They can no longer provide for themselves. They can no longer feed their children. They need urgent food aid.
We must tackle food insecurity and malnutrition immediately. Your support today could provide food to this family.
Worst case scenario:
The image of Magda, shows what can happen without early intervention.
Magda is fighting for her life. Her great-grandmother watches over her in Burao hospital. During her ten days there, she lost consciousness for four days due to severe malnutrition.
Magda's mother is dependent on food from her family of pastoralist farmers. However, with two children and no income, she struggles to feed them as the region continues to suffer with the ongoing drought.
Worst case scenario:
The image of Magda, shows what can happen without early intervention.
Magda is fighting for her life. Her great-grandmother watches over her in Burao hospital. During her ten days there, she lost consciousness for four days due to severe malnutrition.
Magda's mother is dependent on food from her family of pastoralist farmers. However, with two children and no income, she struggles to feed them as the region continues to suffer with the ongoing drought.
Oxfam’s response
We have been working in Somalia for over 40 years and are currently delivering a large-scale humanitarian response focusing on water, food, sanitation, and hygiene. Right now, our team in Somalia are working with the Water Ministry to drill four strategic boreholes so people can access safe, clean water.
650 families have received food to date, but ongoing registration is needed to ensure all vulnerable families in the region can be reached. An additional 1,230 families have already been identified and more continue to come forward.
