The UN today urged the world not to lose focus on its largest humanitarian crisis, as millions of people still struggle to survive drought and conflict in Somalia.Four million Somalis still need assistance six months after famine was declared in parts of the country. More than 1.3 million people are displaced inside Somalia, and over 950,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen and Djibouti, which themselves face major food shortages.

It’s a hot, dusty morning in Mogadishu, the war-ravaged capital of Somalia, and Ahmed Farah Roble is in a makeshift settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs), listening to a mother tell him about her baby daughter.Ahmed nods patiently, asks questions and listens attentively. He’s in the camp to meet with its representatives, to learn more about their situation. Many have recently arrived from the country’s south, fleeing hunger and conflict. They have very little – and urgently need food and medicine, shelter and health care.

Twenty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, 46/182, to establish a global humanitarian system. The resolution called for governments and aid agencies around the world to work together to deal with the rising number of crises.  Two decades on, that system is more important than ever.Yasin Samatar, who fled the civil war in Somalia with his family about twenty years ago, talks about the importance of coordinated humanitarian efforts, both as a former refugee in Kenya and a former employee at OCHA.

The UN and aid agencies called for US$1.5 billion today to continue addressing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in Somalia, where four million people lack basic necessities such as food, water and shelter.“With the humanitarian situation expected to remain critical well into next year, early and full funding is essential,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, at the launch of the 2012 funding appeal for Somalia in Nairobi. “The Somalia crisis is everybody’s responsibility and Somalis need support now. We cannot afford to wait or we will let down the Somali people.”