MOGADISHU (SD) – Thousands of families are reportedly displaced by a severe drought in southern and central parts of Somalia, as the United Nations announced 25 million dollars to Somalia for drought relief efforts.

he Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr. Adam Abdelmoula, confirmed the UN has granted $25 million to provide critical assistance to drought wrecked communities in Somalia.

The funding will instantly dispatch food and water supplements to remote areas and strip vulnerable communities of Jubbaland and Puntland. The coordinator also reported that the aid comes from cash allocations from the Humanitarian Aid Fund (SHF).

According to the released press statement from the UN, the allocation accompanies a recent 17 million dollars grant from the United Nations Emergency Response Fund, designated to meet urgent needs of drought affected communities.

“In many ways, this drought emergency is similar to the 2016/2017 crisis; in some ways, it is already worse. Already over 4.3 million people are affected and over half a million displaced, and the numbers are surging,” said Mr. Abdelmoula. “Substantial and early funding for response activities, including the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan, is critical to prevent further suffering and save lives.”

The UN estimates that more than 4.3 million people are in dire need for food and water, with over 500,00 displaced by the impending drought caused catastrophe in Somalia.