Somalia drought impact and needs assessment (Vol. 1): Synthesis report

This drought impact and needs assessment (DINA) was conducted using remote sensing technology to validate findings. This DINA goes beyond determining the damages, losses and resulting needs; it aims for a multi-sectoral, phased recovery strategy focused on strengthening resilience to future disasters and effectively preventing the cyclical risk of famine.

Although famine was averted in 2017, thanks in part to a massive scale-up in humanitarian assistance, famine remains a looming risk in the coming months and years. Decades of insecurity, political instability, drought and food insecurity have disrupted desperately needed services, devastated human capital and physical infrastructure, and contributed to systematic impoverishment and displacement of the population. The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) highlights the need to sustain humanitarian lifesaving efforts at levels similar to 2017 due to predictions of a fourth consecutive season of failed rains from Oct-Dec 2017.The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its local and international partners will need to provide lifesaving services to approximately 6.2 million people in 2018 to limit the effects of diseases and continue to prevent famine. This continuing drought crisis further underlines the need to seek ways to make structural changes that will reduce the impacts of future drought cycles.