Somaliland: Private relief workers warned food aid theft could worsen the drought-hit areas

[Deeq A.]

By Ahmed Abdi

 

Hargeisa— As Somaliland is suffering a currency-related economic problem, high inflation, infighting local tribes and droughts, private relief workers warned diverting international food aid to the open markets would worsen the humanitarian situation of the drought-impacted people.

Tens of thousands of people are probably in need of emergency food, relief workers and Somaliland officials have concluded.

One of Somaliland’s relief organizations warned that any attempt to divert food aid to open markets could worsen the humanitarian situation for the people in the affected areas by the droughts including to Sahel and Maroodi-Jeeh regions.

“Food aid theft and corruption will risk pushing more than 40 percent Somalilanders into famine,” said Faisal Ali Sheikh, Head of Disaster Preparedness and Food Storage Agency on Sunday.

According to Sheikh, more than 1 million people are in need of emergency food which forced the government to declare a humanitarian emergency.