With a third of Somalia’s population in need of humanitarian aid, the country is clearly in severe crisis. Although the humanitarian statistics are better than in previous years, most aspects of everyday life for people fall far below acceptable living standards.

• 2.9 million Somalis are in humanitarian crisis
• 50,000 children are severely malnourished
• Women in Somalia face the second highest risk of maternal death in the world
• 1.1 million people are displaced within their own country
• Only 30% of the population has access to clean drinking water
• Fewer 1 in 4 people have access to adequate sanitation

Somalia presents a unique and challenging context where destabilizing factors like conflict and cyclical drought are a regular feature. While gains have been made, communities remain only one shock away from disaster. As we learned in 2011, failure to heed the warning signs of crisis in already fragile communities can lead to tragedy.

The international community is in a position now to make a difference in Somalia – as long as funds are available and flexible. Action is urgently needed to address Somalia’s humanitarian and development needs.