EPI watch: Epidemiological Bulletin for Epidemic-prone diseases in Somalia for Week 4-5 of 2023 (23 January-05-Feburary-2023)

Somalia is experiencing worsening drought following four consecutive seasons of failed rainy season. According to the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and Famine Early Warning Network (FEWS NEST), Somalia received suboptimal amount of dyer rains than expected since October 2021. Currently, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) estimates that the number of people affected by extreme drought has risen from 4.9 million in March to 7.8 million in December 2022, with 1.3 million displaced from their homes in search of water, food, and pasture. Some 6.3 million people – 45 per cent of the population – are acutely food insecure. For the first time since 2017, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed pockets of catastrophic food insecurity (Phase 5) affecting more than 322,010 people. An estimated 1.8 million children under 5 face acute malnutrition, including 515 550 who are severely malnourished. The current situation including the displacement has led to more people being vulnerable to epidemic prone diseases, particularly acute diarrheal disease, and measles.

Source: World Health Organization

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