All Member States briefing on the humanitarian situation in Somalia by Mr Peter de Clercq, Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator on 1 March 2016

All Member States briefing on the humanitarian situation in Somalia by Mr Peter de Clercq, Deputy

Special Representative to the Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator on

1 March 2016 

 

 

Thank you for giving me the floor.

 

I would like to thank OCHA for organizing this event and Mr de Clercq for his briefing. And I would like to add on to what has already been said by highlighting the food insecurity situation in Somalia.

 

Nearly 4.7 million Somalis are acutely food insecure - this includes 22 000 people in emergency, and over 900 000 people in crisis. The internally displaced people and rural populations are the most affected.

 

Reverting this situation is directly linked to strengthening agricultural production in Somalia. Agriculture is greatest source of employment in the country. And around two-thirds of Somalis have livelihoods rooted in farming, livestock and fisheries.

 

Somalia was fortunate enough not to have been heavily hit by El Niño, but forecasts point to another season of below average rains in the north.

 

FAO is assisting Somalia overcome this situation by working in three main areas:

 

• Resilience-building – bridging humanitarian assistance with development;
• Institutional capacity development and policy support
• Information for Action to increase evidence-based decision making;

 

 

In 2015, FAO assisted nearly 2.1 million people with agricultural inputs packages, animal health care and fisheries support, by offering training in climate smart-techniques, and giving access to improved seed varieties for increased yields, and providing. We complemented productive support with cash for work schemes which ensured much needed additional income and contributed to recover basic rural infrastructure.

 

Only four years ago, Somalia was able to overcome famine, but the food security situation in 2016 remains fragile and further support will really be needed to assist the millions which remain in need.

 

Thank you for your attention.