The living conditions in Somalia portray a complicated picture of a country characterized by resiliency, complexity, and persistent difficulties. Somalia, which is located in the Horn of Africa, has seen years of violence, political unrest, and natural disasters that have significantly impacted the well-being of its citizens. The nation is at a turning point on its path to recovery and prosperity. amid the turbulent storyline that frequently envelops this East African nation. These top ten statistics about Somalia’s living conditions provide an insight into the hardships and resiliency of people working to improve their lot in life.
Living conditions in Somalia
1. Owing to the civil war, many areas of Somalia have almost no infrastructure. This has an impact on a community’s ability to access clean water. Only 52 percent of people have access to sanitary facilities, and 40.3% of people in rural regions use open defecation because many rural communities lack plumbing. Well, construction and the implementation of neighborhood sanitation improvement programs are two ways to make progress on this issue. Over 800 wells have been constructed or maintained by Mercy USA to increase Somalia’s access to water. Underground wells that are connected to solar-powered sanitation systems have been implemented by the WASH program.
2. There are two rainy and two dry seasons in Somalia. The mean temperatures during these seasons are among the highest on the planet. Due to these factors, farming is exceedingly challenging; as of 2019, only 0.05 percent of the area is used for permanent crops. Most agricultural jobs are related to livestock. Additionally, rice, coconuts, sorghum, corn, and bananas are major exports from Somalia. Without regular trade, most of this has gone to waste and led to a famine, though.
3. Availability of clean water and proper medical facilities are two more of the top ten facts about life in Somalia. Over 79,000 cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhea were reported in 2017. Only 6% of Somali citizens have access to prenatal checkups with doctors. The pastoral clans’ propensity for nomadic living and the presence of sizable refugee camps both contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. By giving immunizations to more than 45,000 kids in these camps, the WHO and UNICEF have been able to reduce measles outbreaks. Nearly 50% of infants under 1 year old have received this vaccination against this illness.
4. As of 2019, the WHO reports that the average lifespan of a Somali person is 53 years. A person has about 45 years on average left to live a healthy life. Most adults die of infectious diseases because they have inadequate access to medical care and sanitary conditions. Only 9% of women have medical assistance when they give birth.
In both genders, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional causes account for over 18,000 deaths. Many children in Somalia still don’t get proper healthcare according to UNICEF. Somali children lose their lives at rates of 4 per 100 in the first month, 8 per 100 before their first birthday, and 1 per 8 before they age five. More than 60% of the country’s under-five mortality is attributed to this. Additionally, difficulties associated with pregnancy or childbirth claim the lives of 1 in 20 women between the ages of 15 and 49 every year.
5. Every day, women and children are in danger. Armed men frequently commit sexual assaults on women and girls without being held accountable. The terrorist group Al-Shabaab recruits and indoctrinates children. Due to the broad application of Sharia law and the limitations placed on gender-based freedoms, Somalia is considered to be one of the worst five countries in the world for women. Additionally, there is a lack of access to health care and a high rate of human trafficking. The Sexual Offences Bill, which criminalizes sexual offenses, was implemented by the Somali federal government in May 2018.
6. As of 2019, the federal government only oversees a portion of the nation, and only urban areas see official economic activity. Given excessive inflation and the likelihood of looting, businesses are hard to come by. The country’s capital, Mogadishu, is 137 percent more expensive to live in than Tokyo. International trade generates the majority of the nation’s income, but ongoing political polarization prevents it from expanding much. The government’s revenue security and cost control should both improve as a result of the new Public Financial Management bill.
7. Conflicts over borders are a constant result of the division between Puntland, Somaliland, and the Somali Republic. Before the nation turned to the UN court in 2021, there was no judicial structure in place to resolve these conflicts, which led to violent attacks. Over the dry season, an influx of pastoral tribes and refugees into major cities and ports leads to robbery and disease.
8. The civil war resulted in the creation of Somaliland and Puntland, two seceded entities in the north. Conflict and bloodshed have been brought on by ongoing border conflicts between the three regions. The federal government’s evictions, random acts of violence, and environmental factors resulted in the displacement of about 2.1 million people. Foreign assistance has been providing help to displaced people, but Al-Shabaab has put restrictions on humanitarian organizations.
9. Another aspect of life in Somalia is the approximately 1 million individuals who have been internally displaced and are now living in refugee camps. Due to a lack of resources, the neighboring nations have imposed sanctions on arriving asylum seekers. Convoys at the disputed borders of Somaliland and Puntland prevent anyone in search of asylum from crossing them as well. It is challenging to establish a reliable source of sustenance when there are so many people moving around erratically.
10. Compared to voluntary organizations, the government offers a vastly reduced amount of health support. Health services are used approximately twice as frequently in places under WHO control as they are in areas outside of it. These regions also have considerably lower rates of maternal and infant mortality. As of 2019, less than 50 children per 1,000 die compared to over 150 per 1,000 in areas without aid. The federal government of Somalia has increased funding for healthcare services and got 88% of the population tested for tuberculosis in areas where organizations were not present.
The top ten statistics about living conditions in Somalia provide an insightful look into a country’s journey characterized by difficulties, resiliency, and a shared commitment to raising the standard of living for its citizens. Even though Somalia has experienced protracted conflict, unstable political conditions, and the effects of natural disasters, these facts also highlight the impressive efforts and advancements that have been made in numerous areas of daily life.
