FSNAU Post Deyr '09/10 Special Berief

Issued February 12, 2010

The findings of the FSNAU, FEWSNET and partner post Deyr ‘09/10 seasonal assessment confirms that a widespread Humanitarian Crisis still persists in Somalia, with 42% of the population or estimated 3.2 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance and/or livelihood support until June 2010. The results indicate that although there are some positive indicators in terms of the lifting of the livestock export ban and improved crop and livestock production in southern parts of the country, the food security and nutrition situation in central regions remains in crisis, where 70% of the population require assistance.

Emergency levels of acute malnutrition continue to be reported, with 1 in 6 children in Somalia acutely malnourished and in need of specialist care. Of these children, 1 in 22 is severely malnourished and at a 9 times increased risk of death compared to well-nourished children.  However, in south and central Somaila the rates are higher, with 1 in 5 children acutely malnourished of which 1 in 20 is severely malnourished. These national rates of acute malnutrition continue to be amongst the highest in the world.  Currently, these rates translate into estimated 240,000 children.

Sustained Humanitarian Emergency in Central and Hiran
The epicentre of the humanitarian crisis continues to be in Mudug, Galgadud and Hiran regions of south and central Somalia due to the ongoing drought and civil unrest, which has left 70% of the populations in those regions in Crisis. In these regions, livestock herds have been decimated due to 6 consecutive seasons of below average rainfall and destitute pastoralists are gathering in main villages and towns in search of assistance. In order for these populations to recover a combination of expanded lifesaving and livelihood support is required urgently at scale.

Internally Displaced People - the Largest Population Group in Crisis
Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) continue to be the largest single population group in crisis, representing 43% of the total 3.2 million, and with the ongoing conflict in the country this number is likely to continue to remain high and even increase further. Most of the IDPs, are concentrated in south and central Somalia.

Deepening Drought and Humanitarian Emergency in parts of the North
Of particular concern are the populations in crisis in the north, the result of a drought following 4 seasons of below average rainfall. This has left 290,000 pastoral and agropastoral populations in crisis and in need of both life saving and livelihood support to recover. Sool Plateau of Sanaag region and Togdheer Agropastoral livelihood zones that were identified in Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis (AFLC) with High Risk to Humanitarian Emergency (HE) during Gu ’09 have deteriorated to Humanitarian Emergency.

Indications of Improvement in Food Security for the Urban Poor
The overall food security situation in urban areas has shown limited improvement, with a significant proportion of poor households continuing to struggle to meet their basic food needs. Humanitarian crisis for the urban poor persists in central regions as well as in parts of the North, while there are some indications of improvement in the Northwest and parts of the South. Currently 580,000 urban populations are in crisis. This is a slight decline from the figure of 655,000 in the post Gu ’09. Out of the total population in crisis, about 465,000 people are in AFLC and about 115,000 are in HE.

Good Crop Production and Improving Food Security in the South
There are good indications for agricultural areas in the South, where a bumper harvest was received in this Deyr, which is 121% of the Deyr Post-War Average (1999 – 2008). The overall cereal production in southern Somalia is estimated to be the highest Deyr cereal harvest in the last seven Deyr seasons.  Cash crop production is also significant and off-season cereal production is expected in March in Juba regions. 

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