Country: Somalia Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Food insecurity remains very severe across Somalia. The latest analysis indicates widespread Emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 4) in northern, central, and Juba pastoral areas, as well as in Bay and Bakool agropastoral areas through May, with pockets of households in Catastrophe level (IPC 5). Crop failures, an atypically hot and dry January-March Jilaal dry season, and surging food and water prices - caused by a national average increase in fuel prices of 70% since the start of the Middle Eastern conflict - are the main drivers. Northern and central pastoral areas will remain in Emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 4) through September - after consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, increased livestock deaths, negligible milk production, and near-record high food and water prices. Debt repayments and persistently above-average food prices weigh heavily on poor households. Herd sizes and milk availability will remain low, limiting access to saleable animals and supplemental food and income. From June to September, only limited area-level improvements are forecasted. Acute malnutrition is also expected to worsen as waterborne illnesses increase seasonally. IDPs remain the population of highest concern, especially recently displaced households, as they have extremely limited livelihood options, minimal access to social support, and are market dependent and highly exposed to price shocks.
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