[ad_1]
Summary of the situation
Somalia now has the second highest number of confirmed COVID19 in the Horn of Africa region. From May 3 to 12, the number increased from 722 to 1,089 with 52 deaths and 121 recoveries. Most of the new cases are reported in the Banadir region, making it the epicenter of the pandemic. However, it is increasingly reported in Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, the Southwestern state and Jubaland. During the week of May 2 to 8, four health workers tested positive for COVID-19 at the Kismayo General Hospital. As of May 12, a total of 69 health workers (six percent of total confirmed cases) have tested positive for COVID-19.
The pandemic threatens to reverse past achievements as well as disrupt ongoing interventions in Somalia’s health sector. On May 10, WHO1 warned that while combating the coronavirus is imperative, it is necessary to maintain essential health services that directly affect health and save lives. According to the WHO, unless the transmission of the coronavirus slows down quickly, the increase in cases and the growing demand for care will put such enormous pressure on Somalia’s fragile health system that it may reach a critical point. 2 Furthermore, the country is dealing with floods that have affected more than 612,000 people. This is exacerbated by desert locust infestation, already reported in Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug; thus creating a triple threat.
COVID-19 impact
In the past two months, COVID-19 has changed lives and livelihoods across the country. Changes in business modes and reduced activities, including the closure of some markets, hotels, and restaurants due to COVID-19 restrictions, have affected daily salaried workers, casual workers, and low-income households . At the same time, the humanitarian footprint in the country has been reduced with most United Nations and NGO staff, whether in alternative work arrangements outside the country, working in a restrictive environment or operating from home.
Imports and exports have been negatively affected. Port tariffs and import taxes represent a significant portion of the revenues of the Federal Government and member states. According to the World Bank, trade taxes represented an average of 69 percent of internal income in the last six years, which represents an average of 1.8 percent of Somalia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 3. The closure of Seaports and land borders over a long period show significant losses in internal revenues and a contraction in GDP.
WFP reported that the cost of public transportation in Puntland has increased between 25 and 35 percent due to COVID-19 directives that limit the number of passengers using public transportation. In the southwest of the state, the commercial flow was reportedly interrupted because truckers on the Baidoa-Waajid route are withdrawing their services for fear of contracting COVID-19. In Jubaland, the closure of the border between Kenya and Somalia has affected the commercial flow in the city of Ceel Waak, which has caused an increase in food prices. In the Banadir region, small urban markets, which are usually active during the afternoon hours, have decreased.
On the other hand, fuel prices have decreased5 in Somaliland and the states of Puntland, and in Mogadishu due to a global reduction in oil prices due to COVID-19. On April 19, Saudi Arabia lifted a recent ban on Somalia’s livestock exports6, leading to increased activity at the ports of Mogadishu, Berbera and Bossaso.
