Droughts caused by climate change affect countries around the world. However, in those countries that are less developed and more vulnerable, it affects them in a more destructive way.
In Somalia, some 196 people have died from drought so far this year due to lack of water. The UN Office for Humanitarian Coordination (OCHA) has warned of how severe the drought is and the authorities have been forced to declare the status of "national disaster."
The severe drought hitting Somalia
Due to the scarcity of water, the prices of the same increase and the communities have been forced to resort to dangerous water sources in which the water is not drinkable or is not treated. All this increases the risk of contracting diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
With the 196 people killed in eleven regions of the country and the more than 7.900 people who have been affected by the cholera outbreak, the state of national disaster has been declared by the authorities.
Water shortages and increased disease
According to the Somali authorities, the situation is getting worse every day in this region. One of the biggest challenges is the restriction of access to humanitarian aid due to the presence of the Somali terrorist group Al Shabab, which controls large areas in the south and center of the country.
About 3 million Somalis will be in a food emergency situation in June 2017 and one step away from famine due to the intense drought registered in recent months, according to the UN.
As rainfall decreases in Somalia Food production is reduced by 70% in some areas of the region. This causes rising prices and a famine that threatens the health of all people.