Drought threatens 1.5 million Somalis; UN health agency scales up response.
27 February 2017 – Less than half of the people in Somalia have access to basic health services, the United Nations health agency today said, announcing that it is scaling up its response in the country amid a severe drought and worsening food crisis.
The UN agency said that it is providing “all possible support” to address the ongoing challenges.
That includes sending in rapid response teams to areas of greatest threat.
That includes sending medicines and medical supplies to health facilities in drought-affected areas.
Some 1.5 million people are believed to be affected by the severe drought and worsening food crisis.
In addition, the drought conditions are causing epidemic-prone diseases to spread.
These include cholera and measles.
The UN has launched an appeal for $825 million for the first half of 2017 for the pre-famine response.
Of this, the health sector requires $85 million, including $10 million for the WHO.