Emergency drought response (Somalia)

Hunger has spiked in rural areas primarily due to the loss of production, productive assets and income sources during the drought. In 2016, farmers suffered an entire year of severe food and income loss, including a 50 percent reduced Gu cereal harvest mid-year, compounded by a 70 percent reduced Deyr harvest at year-end. The low production also left farmers without seeds to plant, cut wage labour income by at least 50 percent, and increased food and water prices throughout Somalia. FAO’s Famine Prevention and Drought Response Plan combined lifesaving interventions with emergency livelihood support to address the distinct needs of rural people at risk across Somalia. The Plan responded to three overarching priority needs in rural communities: (1) Cash (cash-for-work and unconditional cash transfers), (2) Livelihood support and cash, and (3) Emergency livestock support.