Last Wednesday, the United Nations (U.N.) officially declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia. But, Somalia isn’t the only African country in danger. Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti – all Horn of Africa countries – are undergoing the worst drought in over 60 years. Crops have failed and livestock have died.
What this means is that those who aren’t dying are trying to escape the worst drought Somalia has seen in 20 years. Thin, emaciated people are showing up in surrounding areas, clutching whatever few possessions they can manage to carry with them. Some have walked over a hundred miles, past bodies of those that couldn’t survive the trip, to try to find food and water. The U.N. estimates that almost 170,000 have fled to Kenya and Ethiopia and thousands continue to flee across the borders each day. Still, over 1.5 million Somalis are left in a country already devastated by years of civil war.
Plans are underway to try to not only prevent deaths due to the famine, but also to help continue the agricultural development in the area. But, it may not be easy. Relief agencies have tried to deliver assistance to the country, but help has been blocked by Al-Shabab, a local militia with possible al-Qaeda ties. The militia has been refusing aid since 2009, denying a famine even exists.
Many Somalis still hope for help, but after seeing so much suffering and death, seem resigned to their possible fate. One mother who walked over 130 miles, Xukun Muhumed, hopes her emaciated baby would survive, but still told a reporter “If Allah wants him to die, he will die.” Even after making trips to surrounding countries, there often aren’t any doctors or enough food or shelter.
Executive Director of the U.N. Josette Sheeran called the treks “roads to death” and fears of losing an entire Somali generation due to this famine. The U.N. is calling for the U.S. and other western countries to give more in relief dollars to offer additional food and tents for refugees.