Humanitarian assistance and a good harvest have been key to improving access to food for people in Somalia.

However the United Nations and international aid agencies stress that the situation is still serious. Weather forecasters also warn of another dry spell due to the persistence of La Nina conditions.

For some 2.34 million people in Somalia the situation is still critical. Many Somalis are still unable to fully meet their essential food needs, and lack medical services, clean drinking water and other critical services.  In southern Somalia, 1.7 million people will need support just to survive, according to the UN.

More than 1.2 million people are living in camps and many still need assistance before they can return to their homes. The gains that have been made in recent months could easily, and quickly, come undone if aid efforts are not sustained at current level, according to a consortium of aid agencies, including World Vision Somalia, assisting Somali communities.

In early February, the United Nations declared that famine conditions in Somalia were over however stressed that continued support is needed.  "The gains are fragile and will be reversed without continued support," said Mark Bowden, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator for Somalia.

Much of Somalia is still expected to remain at a ‘Food Emergency’ level.  This is an official designated level – an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Level 4- and is just one stage below ‘Famine’ which is level 5.

Meteorologists also warn that with La Niña conditions expected to last until March to May this year, the region’s main rainy season could be adversely affected, and aid agencies are being advised to plan for this threat.

The massive emergency response scale-up last year by the UN and humanitarian organisations contributed to improved conditions for communities however they stress that continued long-term support is needed.

World Vision Response

World Vision continues to work with vulnerable communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Projects include improving access to food, water, sanitation, health services and income.

Somali-community specific projects:

• Maternal and child health care
• Midwife and Traditional Birthing Attendant training/support
• Health Clinics, including mobile health clinics
• Hygiene promotion sessions
• Water trucking
• Water catchment areas construction
• Water wells rehabilitation

Environment projects including re-forestation training, land management including gully restoration.

World Vision is working with displaced Somali communities residing in Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as in collaboration with local partners in Dolo in Somalia.