MOGADISHU (SD) – Some 2.6 million people in Somalia are the most at risk of the impacts of climate change especially water scarcity, United Nations (UN).

In a statement, UNICEF called for urgent action to address Somalia’s critical water needs due to the worsening drought in the Horn of African country.

Over two million people in 66 districts are in acute need and will require immediate lifesaving WASH services for the next coming 6 months.

Among the most at risk are 1.7 million children and women who are exposed to protection risks when accessing limited water resources.

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, over 3 million people will be in acute need by end of March 2022 and will not have access to the minimum daily water requirement of 45L per family,” said UNICEF.

“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 statement said.