A year and half ago, Ethiopia’s Somali Region saw a dramatic increase in conflict, exposing civilians to much greater violence – reportedly including executions and rape – and causing widespread displacement of people and loss of livelihood. As a result, this year’s drought, described as “the worst drought in 30 years” by one Somali-Ethiopian man, has pushed large numbers of already vulnerable people right to the edge of survival.
“A drought like the current one is a disaster for us,” said a woman living in the camps on the outskirts of Wardher in eastern Somali Region. “We lost most of our animals and now we have nothing to eat because all we have is our animals to trade and their milk. Out of 40 camels, my family is left with 17 only. Out of 100 goats, now we have only 25 of them, but some families have lost even more of their herd.” As a last resort, many are seeking refuge on the outskirts of towns like Wardher. These camps are dominated by women and children, the men having led their remaining herds to what little pasture there is, or deliberately avoiding towns for fear of being perceived as combatants.
As many arrive, already in urgent need of healthcare and nutritional support, MSF has seen a jump in admissions to its nutritional feeding programmes. Obtaining enough food to keep children – who are particularly vulnerable – from becoming malnourished is a major problem. Not only have the nomadic herds been severely depleted, but harvests are down and importing food to the region is a difficult and dangerous task. Transporters charge far more than normal, leading to sparse markets and food prices that are beyond the reach of many. Some food has been delivered through humanitarian channels, but it is sporadic and often doesn’t reach those who need it. MSF recently distributed food in Wardher to help stave off malnutrition but it is just a stopgap for a widespread and serious problem.
Under such circumstances, the provision of independent and impartial humanitarian assistance remains critical. And there is not enough of it. Many humanitarian actors have been deterred from operating in the Somali Region by security concerns, logistical or administrative hassles or threats to their operating principles. MSF too has faced its share of obstacles, but continues to provide what assistance it can to those who need it most.