The enduring conflict and insecurity have displaced some 569,000 people in Somalia in the first eight months of the year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.
The WHO said the Somali government’s ongoing counter-insurgency operations against the al-Shabab terror group and tensions following clan disputes continue to cause insecurity and displacement in the country.
“Among the 1.42 million newly displaced people nationwide in 2023, 569,000 were displaced by conflict and insecurities,” the WHO said in its latest report released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The government forces have intensified military operations against the al-Shabab terror group which has been involved in a spate of attacks, especially in Mogadishu, central and southern regions.
According to the WHO, the fact that the government aims to further its offensive against the terrorist group in Somalia’s Galmudug state is likely to worsen displacements.
Last year, conflict, drought, and floods displaced more than 3.8 million people within Somalia and into neighboring countries, with the majority of internally displaced persons living in Banadir, Galgaduud, Gedo, and Hiran regions in Somalia, said the UN agency.
During the first half of 2023 alone, 531,000 people were displaced due to conflict and insecurity.
According to the UN, conflict and climate hazards continue to drive up humanitarian needs in Somalia with more than 8 million people currently requiring humanitarian assistance.
