The International Rescue Committee joins hands with other humanitarian partners to seek US$2.6 billion to scale up drought response in Somalia in 2023

Mogadishu, Somalia 10th February 2023 – The International Rescue Committee with other humanitarian resource planning partners recently made an appeal to receive US$2.6 billion to assist 7.6 million people in Somalia in 2023.

Having experienced five consecutive poor rainy seasons, Somalia’s worst drought in 40 years is forcing more and more people to leave their homes in search of food security and greener pastures for livestock. The drought has displaced more than 1.4 million people and killed at least 3.5 million livestock, destroying livelihoods, and reducing children’s access to milk and food.

With the reduction of funding for humanitarian assistance, 8.3 million people will likely experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and June, including more than 727,000 who are likely to face catastrophic conditions.

The recent annual Watchlist report highlights how armed conflict, climate change, and economic turmoil are pushing a growing minority of the world’s population into ever deeper crises, including worsening food insecurity. The startling acceleration of emergencies globally highlights that action is needed to break the cycle of crisis and save lives by investing in public services and a people-first financing strategy to directly support affected communities, particularly in famine-like conditions where time is of the essence.

The IRC has been operational in Somalia since 1981, where it currently supports communities in Galmudug, Southwest, and Puntland states, as well as in the Banaadir (Mogadishu) region. The IRC’s staff in Somalia are scaling up the programs to address the current drought and rising food insecurity, including expanding to new areas to meet severe needs. IRC provides health, nutrition, water, and sanitation services; women’s protection and empowerment; and cash assistance to drought-affected populations across the country. we have reached more than half a million people so far in Somalia