Somalia Is Facing Famine on a Catastrophic Scale

Aid groups are again sounding the alarm over the worsening humanitarian disaster in Somalia, which is facing famine on a scale not seen in half a century. One child is hospitalized for malnutrition every minute, according to UNICEF. The U.N. says over $2 billion in aid is needed to help fight the catastrophic effects of the ongoing drought as the region appears to be in the throes of its fifth consecutive failed rainy season. The situation has spurred a mass displacement crisis. This is Falhad Hussein, a displaced Somali mother and street vendor.

Falhad Hussein: “I had fled from drought from Buulo Mareer town of Lower Shabelle region. I have five children. I had seven children; two died while they were babies because of thirst and hunger of the drought. And we fled from locusts and wars. Now we are in these IDP camps and still need support.”