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Rivers turn to dust as drought bites Somalia

– ‘We are desperate’ –

The warning also comes as neighbouring Ethiopia – the source of the Shabelle River – struggles to combat its worst drought for 30 years, with at least 10.2 million people needing food aid.

Getting aid to the people in Somalia is an enormous challenge, especially in southern districts where the Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab remain powerful, fighting government troops and a 22,000-strong African Union force.

Last month the UN warned over 58,000 children will starve to death in Somalia without urgent support.

Severe drought and conflict in Somalia caused a famine in 2010-2012 that eventually killed a quarter of a million people. A similar number died during the previous 1992 famine.

El Nino is triggered by a warming in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. It can cause unusually heavy rains in some parts of the world and drought elsewhere.

“The impact of the drought in the north is already being felt in southern and central regions,” the UN said recently.

“There are concerns on the rapid deterioration of the water situation in Belet Weyne in Middle Shabelle region due to the rapid reduction of water levels.”

While the river is seasonal – flooding during intense rains, then nearly drying up in the dry season – residents say the levels are the lowest they have seen in recent memory.

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“We are worried as there is serious water scarcity around villages, and many people are now trekking long distances every day to fetch water from wells,” said Ibrahim Adam, a resident in Jowhar, saying people were desperate for expected rains due in April to arrive.

“We don’t know what is happening, we are desperate,” said Mohamed Nur, a farmer.

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