MOGADISHU, Somalia

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Somali Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range launched a national livestock treatment campaign Wednesday to respond to the current drought in Somalia.

"FAO & @MoLFR_Somalia have launched a national livestock supportive treatment campaign in Mogadishu as part of its #droughtinSomalia response," the agency wrote on Twitter.

At least 10.7 million animals belonging to 267,500 families will be treated during the campaign to ensure the milk supply in Somalia and strengthen household and food security, according to a statement.

Due to drought conditions, thousands of pastoralists have lost livestock that has been their main income and livelihoods as the remaining animals are still facing severe drought conditions because of water shortages and vegetation.

The drought has caused an influx of displacements especially in Somalia's southern state of Jubaland.

"In Jubaland as a whole, 174,000 families have been displaced by the drought since October 2021, facing widespread food insecurity and water shortages," state President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe said Wednesday.

He said more than 250 settlements have been provided with food, water and medical supplies.