43,000 feared dead as drought continues to ravage Somalia
- Somalia is in the midst of the lengthiest and most severe drought in its history, with a new report by the Government’s Minister of Health estimating it caused 43,000 excess deaths in 2022.
- Currently 8.3 million people—nearly half the population—require immediate humanitarian aid.
- Shashwat Saraf, IRC regional emergency director of East Africa, said, “The crisis in Somalia is far from over and is becoming more severe every day. Famine is projected if more resources are not pumped towards the response.”
Country facts
- Total population: 12.3 million
- People displaced by crisis: 17 of every 100
- Rank in 2015 Human Development Index: Not ranked
IRC response
- Started work in Somalia: 1981
- People assisted per year: 280,000
