MOGADISHU (SD) – The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says, an estimated 4.3 million people have been affected by the severe droughts in several areas of Somalia.

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated the escalating drought season has forced 271,000 people to flee their homes in search of water, food and pasture.

“With the next rainy season not expected to resume until April 2022, Somalia is on the verge of a catastrophe,” UNOCHA said in its latest response to the droughts in Somalia.

They confirmed that the United Nations Emergency Relief Fund has allocated $25 million for drought relief purposes, and the Somali Humanitarian Fund has provided $6 million.

UNOCHA says more funding is urgently needed for the 2022 Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan.

UNOCHA has advised that the drought will intensify, as Somalia faces the threat of a fourth consecutive rainy season in early 2022.