UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appealed for “massive” international support for Somalia, battling a desperate humanitarian crisis caused by protracted armed conflict and drought.
During a joint press conference with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,
Guterres said he was on a “visit of solidarity” to the troubled country in the Horn of Africa, where 5 million people were facing high levels of food insecurity.
He said he wanted to help build the security capacity of Somalia and encourage its development.
UN appeals for aid
The United Nations (UN) has launched a 2.6 billion dollar call for humanitarian aid, but Guterres said the appeal was only 15% funded.
Somalia’s worst drought in decades has pushed many to the brink of famine, and the government is engaged in a major operation to eradicate a bloody Islamist insurgency.
It earlier imposed a security lockdown in the capital Mogadishu for Guterres’ arrival, closing many roads and restricting public transport.
The UN Secretary-General, who is making his first visit to the nation since March 2017, is also due to visit a camp for internally displaced people before leaving on Wednesday.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that the visit was also a sign of solidarity towards the democratic process and government in Somalia.
He said that this visit ensures that the UN is fully committed to supporting our plans for state-building and stabilizing Somalia.
Five successive unsuccessful rainy seasons in parts of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia have led to the worst drought in 4 decades, wiping out crops and livestock, and forcing about 1.7 million people from their homes in quest of water and food.
UN warning
The United Nations says about half its population will require humanitarian aid this year, with 8.3 million hit by the drought.
Adding to problems, seasonal rains in March led to floods that claimed the lives of twenty-one people and displaced over 100,000, according to the UN, which warned that the downpours would not be enough to improve the food security situation for many.
