UN calls for urgent action to address water scarcity in Somalia

The United Nations has reiterated an urgent action to address water scratch in Somalia. The UN says more than two million people are facing water shortages due to severe drought conditions in the country.
Among the most at risk are 1.7 million children and women who are exposed to protection risks when accessing limited water resources.

The UN says Water scarcity and drought conditions have contributed to increased water prices leading to displacements, diarrhoea-related morbidity and malnutrition in many parts of Somalia.

The current worst affected regions in Somalia include Gedo, Bay, Bakol, Lower Jubba, Galgadud, Mudug and parts of Bari, Nugaal, Sool, Sanaag, Togdheer, and Hiraan regions. Without urgent scale-up of WASH services, millions people will be in acute need by the end of March 2022 and will not have access to the minimum daily water requirement of 45L per family.

According to the UN, Somalia is on the frontline of climate change and has experienced 30-plus climate-related hazards since 1990, including 12 droughts and 19 floods.