Several members of Parliament have issued an appeal to international organizations for emergency assistance to residents of drought hit Awdal and Selel regions.
“We are calling on the international community and the United Nations to assist… to prevent a deadly humanitarian crisis developing in Awdal and Selel, the MPs said.
The MPs speaking during a press conference held today said “The Government and the local business fraternity should ensure that the food reaches this area as soon as possible before our people start dying of hunger,”
Hon Abdi Mahmoud Jama “Gaagale” MP, speaking during the press conference said, “The western regions of Somaliland have being hit by the worst drought ever and the current situation in those areas was serious and needs to be addressed urgently by the government and international community.
The MP also appealed to members of the local business fraternity, well-wishers to assist the drought victims in the affected regions.
Hon. Ahmed-Dahir Mahmoud Jirde , MP urged the government and international relief organizations to act urgently in order to prevent future shocks from developing into humanitarian catastrophes, we are asking donors to provide life-saving assistance to residents of Awdal and Selel regions.
Hon. Abdirahman Ahmed, MP, while briefing the press said, “During a tour of drought hit areas last week, I came across a man who told me he had to travel for three and half’s hours to one of the few feeding centers operating in the area only to be given porridge ration the size of his palm.
“People find it more and more difficult to feed themselves and their families as the water shortage caused mass loss of livestock and agriculture,” he said.
The MPs concluded by saying, “We anticipate that the situation will continue to deteriorate in the coming weeks”.
Residents from some parts of Selal, Awdal and Sahil regions have in the past four years been adversely affected by prolonged droughts wondered yet the multitude of humanitarian, development and UN agencies operating in the country have turned a blind eye to these sufferings despite several appeals.
