Despite improvements, there are pressing humanitarian needs in Somalia according to findings from the post-Gu seasonal assessment conducted across Somalia in June and July 2018. Assessment results indicate food security has continued to improve due to average to above average rainfall between April and June that contributed to seasonal improvements to food and income sources and market conditions and the positive impacts of sustained and large-scale humanitarian assistance.
Forecast average to above average Deyr (October-December 2018) rains, off-season harvest and favorable market conditions are expected to contribute to further improvements in the overall foods security condition between now and December 2018. However, acute food insecurity is prevalent among populations who lost most of their animals and who became destitute during the 2016-2017 severe drought, those affected by flooding in April and May 2018 and others who were affected by large-scale and protracted displacement due to a combination of conflict and natural hazards.
These population groups are expected to face large food consumption gaps and need humanitarian assistance to prevent further deterioration of their food security and nutrition situation. This seasonal assessment was jointly led by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU, a project managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET, a project funded by USAID) and carried out with the active participation of Government institutions and other partners.
The 2018 Gu rains started early or on time and amounts were average to above average in most areas and slightly below average to near average in the northeast. Low-lying areas along Shabelle and Juba rivers and other depressed areas were affected by river and flash floods. 2018 Gu is the wettest season in nearly two decades; favorable rainfall during the 2018 Gu season has helped end drought conditions that persisted since 2016 Gu.
