Area: |
627 000 sq.km |
Climate: |
Semi-arid in the south; rest arid |
Population: |
6.37 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput; n.a. |
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country |
Logistics: |
Inadequate port facilities; serious shortage of fuel and spare parts |
Major foodcrops: |
Maize, sorghum, sesame |
Marketing year: |
August/July; Lean season: June-August |
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
45 percent |
The food situation in Somalia is rapidly deteriorating following the
drought-reduced 2001 main "Gu" season harvest, the lowest in the last seven
years. Recent heavy rains in neighbouring Ethiopian highlands have caused an overflow of
rivers in parts of southern Somalia displacing a large number of people thus aggravating
the already serious food supply situation.
More than a decade of civil strife has left Somalia impoverished and mired in an extended
humanitarian crisis. Basic infrastructure and Government services, including the ability
to deliver the most basic health, education, and other social services, have collapsed. A
recovery in food production in the previous two cropping seasons had eased to some extent
the food supply difficulties. However, the current poor harvest has offset the temporary
respite due to weakened coping mechanisms by a succession of droughts earlier and the
long-term effects of years of insecurity. Furthermore, the continuing ban on livestock
imports from eastern Africa by countries along the Arabian Peninsula due to Rift Valley
fever is causing substantial loss of income, particularly in northern Somalia. The ban
imposed in September 2000 is estimated to have cost the country hard currency earnings
estimated at US$120 million. Reflecting a grim food outlook, cereal prices are expected to
rise, seriously eroding the purchasing power of a large section of the population.
Moreover, the value of the Somali/Somaliland shilling has fallen dramatically. Between
August 2000 and August 2001, the value of the Somali shilling in Mogadishu dropped from
Ssh 9 500 to Ssh 20 500 for one US dollar, a depreciation of nearly 116 percent,
while the value of the Somaliland shilling in Hargeysa fell from SLsh 3 000 to SLsh
6 000 to a US dollar - a fall of 100 percent.
As a result of the global economic downturn, remittances which normally contribute up to
an estimated US$500 million to the economy per year compared to about US$60 million from
foreign aid, are expected to dwindle significantly. Access to food for large numbers of
households who depend on remittances is expected to be affected seriously. In view of the
rapidly deteriorating food supply situation, rural people are leaving their villages, many
with their livestock in search of food and water, moving into urban areas and crowding
around feeding centres where assistance is being provided by the international community.
Recent reports indicate that some 800 000 people have been affected and will require
70 000 tonnes of emergency food assistance until the next "Gu" season
harvest in August 2002. Of particular concern are some 300 000 vulnerable people
threatened by starvation, particularly in Gedo Region in south-eastern Somalia, as well as
in Hiran, Bay and Bakool. Despite recent rainfall that enabled some plantings, prospects
for the "Deyr" secondary season, which runs from October to February, are
uncertain, due to the delayed onset of rains.
The Somalia Aid Co-ordination Body (SACB) - which groups United Nations agencies,
non-governmental organizations and donor partners - has appealed for urgent food
assistance to the affected population. Non-food assistance, such as water and medical
supplies, is also required for thousands of children who are at the risk of disease and
malnutrition. Earlier in the year a UN Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal was launched for
US$130 million, to support livelihoods and assist the country's recovery. The
international donor community is urged to make urgent pledges and contributions, failing
which there is increased likelihood of large-scale starvation in the most affected areas.
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
Previous five years average production
|
1 |
2 |
264 |
267 |
Previous five years average imports
|
113 |
94 |
56 |
263 |
2001/02 Domestic Availability
|
10 |
1 |
230 |
241 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
- |
2 |
190 |
192 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
- |
1 |
190 |
191 |
Possible stock drawdown
|
10 |
- |
40 |
50 |
2001/02 Utilization
|
110 |
91 |
350 |
551 |
Food use
|
110 |
81 |
320 |
511 |
of which: local purchase requirement
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use
|
- |
10 |
30 |
40 |
Exports or re-exports
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
2001/02 Import Requirement
|
100 |
90 |
120 |
310 |
Anticipated commercial imports
|
100 |
75 |
50 |
225 |
Food aid needs
|
- |
15 |
70 |
85 |
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
- |
- |
14 |
14 |
of which: delivered
|
- |
- |
6 |
6 |
Donor-financed purchases
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
|
17 |
13 |
50 |
80 |
Indexes
|
||||
2001 Production as % of average:
|
72 |
|||
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average:
|
118 |