Monday October 7, 2024
In Somalia’s Ravaged Bay Region, Hunger Ignites Fresh Conflict
A woman in Somalia’s Bay region walks through drought-stricken fields, where conflict and climate change have devastated agricultural production, forcing communities to depend on humanitarian aid. (Credit: Islamic Relief/SIDA)
Mogadishu (HOL) — A new report from Islamic Relief Somalia shows that food insecurity is worsening conflicts in Somalia's Bay region. Droughts, floods, and ongoing violence are deepening poverty and driving displacement, creating a vicious cycle of hunger and instability. The report spotlights how competition for scarce food resources fuels tensions within communities, leading to conflict and further displacement.
The study, Community Perceptions of Food Insecurity as a Driver of Conflict, focuses on the districts of Baidoa, Berdale, and Dinsoor. These areas, once known as Somalia's "breadbasket," have seen farming collapse due to a combination of insecurity, climate change, and extortion by armed groups. Farmers have been forced to abandon their land, worsening food shortages and driving many into overcrowded camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
"Food insecurity consistently leads to displacement, which only worsens the already fragile situation in the region," said one participant from Baidoa. "The influx of IDPs adds to competition for limited resources, further straining local communities."
The report also points to climate change as a major factor in the worsening food crisis. Erratic rainfall, drought, and floods have severely reduced agricultural output, leading to higher food prices and scarcities. With rural residents fleeing conflict zones, urban areas are swelling with displaced populations, adding to the strain on food supplies.
Somalia has long struggled with the intertwined challenges of conflict and food insecurity. Armed groups, such as Al-Shabaab, restrict access to markets and impose illegal taxes on farmers and traders, further reducing food availability. The United Nations estimates that more than six million Somalis are currently facing severe food shortages, with many regions on the brink of famine.
Islamic Relief's report highlights that women are disproportionately affected by the food crisis. Sixty percent of the report's workshop participants were women, many of whom described the direct impact of food insecurity on their families. "The arrival of IDPs from conflict-hit areas like Bakool overwhelms local resources, making it hard for aid agencies to meet the growing needs," said Amina, a participant from Baidoa.
Key findings from the report show that agricultural production, market activity, and displacement are all tightly connected to the food crisis. Disruptions to farming and illegal taxation by armed actors have reduced food production, while market restrictions have made it harder for communities to access what little food is available.
The report calls for urgent interventions to address the root causes of food insecurity in the Bay region. Islamic Relief Somalia calls on international donors, Somali authorities, and humanitarian agencies to boost funding for food security programs such as cash transfers and support conflict resolution initiatives focusing on the underlying causes of food shortages.