FAMINE IN SOMALIA: THE STOCK FARMERS GO BROKE BECAUSE OF THE CANCELLATION OF HAJJ

The cancellation of the Muslim pilgrimages to the holy places in Mecca and Medina (Hajj), imposed by the authorities of Saudi Arabia due to the spread of COVID-19, risks to undermine the economy of Somalia.

The East African State, which has experienced famine and the aftermath of civil war over the past decade, may once again face the threat of mass mortality.

According to the calculations of international experts, about 80% of all export revenues to the economy are provided by the livestock products. This allows the majority of the population (about 60%) to survive and receive some kind of income. However, 1441 AH (2020 in the Muslim calendar) may become the last year of life for many residents of Somalia, given the current situation.

An attempt to protect the health of Saudis from the COVID-19 risks becoming a ruin for the farmers in neighboring Somalia.

The fact is that Saudi Arabia have traditionally imported about a million heads of cattle necessary for performing rituals during the Hajj from Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti. More than 10 million people living in 185 countries of the world come to the country while being on pilgrimage. As a rule, about three million heads of cattle are purchased for this purpose.

The prohibition on entry into the country to perform the Hajj could hurt the livestock sector in many African countries, including Somalia.

The experts note that the economy of Somalia is seriously affected by the natural factors that have led to a shortage of water and food. The famine-inducing drought could have been overcome by selling the most of the livestock production to the Saudi Arabia. Now this source of financial income has been lost. The foreign markets are closed, and the domestic market has not been formed due to the lack of funds from the local population and military conflicts.

According to the expert estimates, the famine in Somalia could take away a significant part of the working-age population. The UN experts suggest that in 2020, the African continent may lose about 12 million people left without means of support.