HARGEISA — President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo on Sunday issued an emergency appeal for international aid saying his unrecognized country is suffering its worst drought, devastating four main regions.
“The situation is very critical with reports of lack of water, food shortages and infectious disease outbreak,” he said in a press release in Hargeisa.
The president said an estimated 20,000 people are affected by a severe drought in the regions of Awdal, Salal, Sahil and eastern Sanaag. He added the suffering is extreme along the coastline where rains did not fall for more than three years.
The president warned without immediate local, regional and international response, the suffering could rapidly spread.
Mr Silanyo said he received the reliable reports from his regional administrations, aid agencies, various government departments and the public.
“Livestock have been completely wiped out and thousands are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Many more families have been displaced and are now gathering around towns and villages including Garbo Dadar, Gargaara, Waraqa Dhigta, Alixaydh, Eel lahelay, Fadhi Xun, Eelgaal, Fiqi Adan, Geerisa, Bulahaar, Hagal, Berbera, Beeyo Dhaadheer, Raarida Buur, Laas-dhuure and villages beyond Huluul,” he said.
He declared that these communities need an urgent humanitarian assistance including water, food, medicine and shelter. “Unless aid reaches these people, there is fear many of them will not make it due to hunger and thirst specially the weak including children and the elders,” he warned.
“I am requesting the help of the international community, United Nations, local NGOs, aid agencies and the Somaliland community to assist us,” he appealed.
Somaliland faces the worst drought in many years after largely escaping from last year’s famine that ravaged neighbouring Somalia and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Last year Somaliland raised more than $700,000 for the famine appeal in Somalia. There is no doubt this time again they will rise up to the challenge and help those in need.
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