In drought-stricken Somalia, a diarrhoea epidemic has killed 20 people

Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, exacerbating water scarcity that led people in remote areas to drink contaminated water which caused diseases, including diarrhea.

News Keydmedia Online
1 March 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the last few hours, there has been a jump in the number of deaths related to acute watery diarrhea in areas near Walanweyn district in the Lower Shabelle region.

The local doctors said that the disease is currently prevalent in the villages of Tabeelaha, Aqal Gubay, Bulo Jiffi, Kukaadi, Mooro Barey, Xawaal Filey, and other rural areas hit by the ongoing drought.

'An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea in areas located on the outskirts of Wanlaweyn has killed 20 people, including women and children,' a medical official said.

The people, mostly children are dying because of the lack of access to health facilities in the areas, according to the residents who called for immediate assistance, mainly clean water and medicine.

Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, exacerbating water scarcity that led people in remote areas to drink contaminated water which caused diseases, including diarrhea.

Officials in Wanlaweyn under Southwest State sent a distress call to the Somali Government and aid agencies to address the outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea and help Drought-affected people.

The Medics told Keydmedia English the number of patients is increasing by the day.

For the past three years, Somalia has been experiencing its worst drought crisis in a decade, with more than 4.3 million people going hungry and fleeing their villages in search of food and water.

KEYDMEDIA English