Mogadishu (SD) – The United Nations has announced a $ 17 million grant to Somalia to address the devastating drought and help pastoralists and farmers in need.

A statement from the United Nations & Friends of Somalia acknowledges that humanitarian assistance will be provided to eligible families to take care of themselves.

“The lives of people in Somalia are on the line, and we have no time to lose, I count on other donors to follow this lead and support the Somalia Humanitarian Fund to help people protect themselves from deepening hunger and poverty.” said UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.

The move is in response to United Nations assistance and plans to expand aid to Somalia by 2022 and to seek more funding.

“Over the next year, we must provide the assistance that the most vulnerable people in Somalia are entitled to,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. Adding “A fast and efficient way to do this is through substantial and early funding for the 2022 HRP, and helping to replenish the depleted Somalia Humanitarian Fund, which is the most important source of funding for national NGO partners.”

The UN says its HRP plan will prioritize 5 million vulnerable people, including 1 million children under the age of five.

The UN’s appeal also said that this year’s violence and insecurity had forced 777,000 people to flee their homes. In total, more than 2.9 million people are internally displaced in Somalia – one of the highest numbers in the world.

Drought-affected families have migrated to areas they consider to be better off, after livestock and people started dying of starvation and lack of drinking water.