UN Refugee Agency has said over a quarter million of Somali people have been displaced following armed conflict and floods in the country.
In a statement, UNHCR this week said in addition to deadly coronavirus, the population had been struggling with natural disasters since the start of 202o.
“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, fears these multiple, compounding emergencies will lead to devastating consequences unless there is a strong and coordinated response from the international community, national and local Somali authorities and humanitarian actors to meet the massive humanitarian needs,” UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley said in a statement.
According to the statement, about 137,000 Somalis were effected by conflict in April and March following the resumption of SNA and al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle region.
More than 50,000 people being forced to flee their homes.
Yaxley said communities were exposed to crossfire and mortar attacks and roadside explosions while they were fleeing.
“UNHCR believes the humanitarian situation will worsen as COVID-19 further spreads. Most of the 2.6 million IDPs [internally displaced people] in Somalia live in overcrowded settlements and many, especially those newly displaced, live in makeshift shelters made of plastic bags, cardboards and sticks,” he said.
