“All I think about is how I’m going to feed them”

After fleeing southern Somalia to escape conflict 11 years ago, Samira is now facing another disaster – how to feed her family.

Six consecutive failed rainy seasons have created a devastating drought that is affecting millions of people in the Horn of Africa. With water sources drying up, crops and livestock dying, and livelihoods destroyed, many communities can no longer support themselves.

The situation is so desperate that rations have been cut at Melkadida refugee camp in Ethiopia, where Samira lives with her five children.  

“All I think about is how I’m going to feed them,” she said. “Last night, they did not eat. This morning, I gave them some porridge. I have nothing more to give them.” 

All five of Samira’s children were diagnosed with malnutrition and treated, but only three have recovered. 

Adane Tefera, an Associate Nutrition Officer for UNHCR, is witnessing the impact of this dire food crisis on vulnerable families such as Samira’s.

“The cost of food has increased by 67 per cent, according to our last assessment. Even the most basic food item, milk, has more than doubled in price,” he said.

“As most refugees can no longer afford to buy food from the markets, they are finding it very difficult to get enough to eat, which puts them at risk of malnutrition and other serious diseases.”

Dahira, a Somali refugee and mother, runs a small vegetable shop in Melkadida’s main market. But business has been tough lately, as people can no longer afford to buy her tomatoes.

“Recently, I bought half a sack of tomatoes on credit from my neighbour so that I can sell them and my children can have something to eat,” she said. “But I have only been able to sell tomatoes worth 30 Ethiopian Birr ($0.60), not enough even to buy a packet of maize flour.”

UNHCR is providing safe shelter for people who have fled their drought-stricken homes. We are also working with partners to distribute cash assistance and life-saving supplies such as clean water and sanitation items.

With the drought expected to continue, UNHCR is helping families develop livelihoods so they can be self-sufficient and meet their basic needs. For example, in Ethiopia’s Somali region, refugees are producing wheat and rice for the first time as part of a climate-smart agriculture project supported by the IKEA Foundation.

For Samira, a little extra help may be all she needs to turn her situation around.

“If I got some support, for example to start a business, I could make some money to buy some rice, pasta or sugar for my children,” she said.

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