The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the number of people who left their homes towards the end of this month could rise to 500 thousand if the heat continues in this way in Somalia, where the drought has increased its effectiveness.
Speaking at the press conference at the UN’s Geneva office, UNHCR Spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov evaluated the latest situation regarding the drought in Somalia.
Cheshirkov stated that thousands of people had to relocate as a result of the expected rainfall during the rainy season across the country, and said, “In the first week of March, more than 17 thousand people left their homes in the southern gulf region of the country due to drought.” said.
Emphasizing that people who have left their homes have difficulties in meeting their basic needs such as drinking water and food, Cheshirkov said, “If the situation continues like this, UNHCR predicts that from the beginning of this year to the end of March, approximately 500,000 Somalis will have to leave their homes due to drought.” he said.
Noting that the increase in internal migration will continue due to drought, the need for humanitarian aid will increase in Somalia, Cheshirkov said, “In 2022, UNHCR, together with nearly 2.9 million internally displaced people, returned 40 thousand refugees, 31 thousand refugees from abroad and Ethiopia and its surroundings. It needs US$ 157.5 million in aid to protect nearly 15,000 people who took refuge in the country.” used the phrases.
