The UN refugees agency on Thursday said that severe drought ravaging Somalia, coupled with conflict and evictions, has displaced more than 137,000 people from their homes from January to March.
This is according to Protection and Return Monitoring Network, a project led by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
The agency said the number of people displaced had increased month by month, with 51,000 fleeing in March alone.
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Kennedy Mabonga, Regional Programme Director for the NRC, said the drought had been worst in Somaliland, Puntland, Mudug and Galgaduud regions.
“We are seeing a tragic trend this year, with more and more people displaced by drought and conflict in Somalia.
“Seeking aid to survive, families flee to urban areas, erecting makeshift shelters wherever they can,” Mabonga said in a statement.
This leaves them vulnerable to evictions, adding to their already desperate situation, Mabonga said, noting that conflict continues in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. (/NAN)
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