NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – In a significant move to address the looming humanitarian crisis in South Central Somalia, Action Against Hunger Somalia has successfully secured a £4 million bilateral grant from the British Embassy Mogadishu.
This six-month grant will play a pivotal role in delivering integrated emergency life-saving Health, Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and Protection support to nearly 1 million vulnerable Somalis grappling with the adverse effects of El Niño.
The grant signing ceremony took place at Action Against Hunger’s Regional office, where Damon Bristow, Development Director at the British Embassy Mogadishu, highlighted the UK government’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at alleviating the impact of El Niño in Somalia.
Bristow stated, “Through this partnership, we hope to provide humanitarian assistance to populations in south-central Somalia affected by El Niño. This is our first partnership with ACF (Action Against Hunger), and it’s a testament to the impact your interventions are having in Somalia.”
Albert Siminyu, Regional Director of Action Against Hunger, echoed the organization’s steadfast dedication to addressing urgent needs in South Central Somalia.
He emphasized the significance of collaborative endeavors to mitigate the devastating impacts of El Niño in the region.
“We are excited about this partnership and looking forward to not only saving lives in the affected region but also establishing a support system to enable the affected communities to rebuild their lives,” Siminyu stated.
Action Against Hunger Somalia warned of the anticipated flooding from El Niño, which is expected to worsen the existing humanitarian situation resulting from prolonged droughts. The floods may trigger the outbreak of diseases like cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
Additionally, El Niño is projected to significantly impact agriculture and food production, escalating the risk of food insecurity and potential malnutrition.
These consequences can intensify vulnerabilities, potentially leading to population displacement and conflict in Somalia, thereby amplifying health, nutrition, and protection risks for the affected communities.
The Caafimaad Plus Consortium, the largest Health and Nutrition Consortium in Somalia, will implement the project.
This consortium consists of five international and three local humanitarian organizations led by Action Against Hunger.
The collaborative effort aims to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to the multifaceted challenges posed by El Niño in South Central Somalia.