At least 200 drought-displaced families from parts of Gedo and Bay regions have arrived in Elwak town over the past ten days seeking humanitarian relief.
Most are reported to be herders, whose livestock have been wiped out by drought in the region.
Amina Osman, a mother of seven, told Radio Ergo she fled from a remote rural area between Ufurow district and Qansah-dere town in Bay, after she had lost all her livestock to the drought.
She trekked a long distance to reach the Samir IDP camp on the outskirts of Elwak, which is home to many destitute families in dire need of help.
“I arrived here with my seven children and several of my grandchildren. We don’t have adequate food, clean water and proper shelter as well as healthcare provision. We were 70 families including children, women and elderly people when we joined the camp. We are asking for food aid,” she said.
Aadan Hassan, displaced from Fafahdun area, told Radio Ergo that 230 families in the camp were facing dire living conditions, citing lack of food and healthcare. “ICRC once slaughtered 20 goaats and distributed the meat amongst us, but that was not enough to cover our needs,” Hassan said.
Seven IDP camps are locate in Elwak, hosting over 3,000 families.
