Somalia drought forces more people into displacement camps

One of the poorest countries in the world, Somalia has been devastated by more than 20 years of conflict. Almost half the population are under 18. Despite being faced with incredible odds, ordinary people persevere to make a better life for themselves and their children Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Nine-year-old Amin Hassan Abdi was hit in the neck by a stray bullet in Mogadishu's Waberi district. He hasn't been able to eat since he was shot, 43 days ago, and has to take fluids through a pipe in his nose. 'We hope he will fully recover,' says his father, who has been at his side since Amin was injured. Madina hospital is full of civilian casualties from the brutal war being fought. 'Ninety-five percent of our patients are from combat,' says Mohamed Yousef Hassan, the hospital's director and chief surgeon. 'Day by day, the situation in Mogadishu is worsening' Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Halima Mohamed lives in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Mogadishu with her family. There are an estimated 1.5 million people displaced within Somalia, while a further 650,000 people are refugees in neighbouring countries Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

The conditions in the camps are often very poor, with few opportunities for employment, little medical care or food. Two-year-old Nima Abdirahmen Yahye has measles, but her mother is forced to use traditional treatment made from the leaves of a local tree. The charity Concern Worldwide has now begun to work in these camps providing basic healthcare Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Drought has affected the wider Horn of Africa region. Mako Abdi Ali came from Ethiopia in search of humanitarian assistance in the camps of Mogadishu Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Sheik Abdulahi Abdiyow lost his herd of 37 cattle and 90 goats, forcing him to leave his rural home and seek help in one of Mogadishu's IDP camps. Herders have lost many of their animals because of the drought, which followed the failure of last year’s rains and poor rainfall in 2011. The carcasses of dead livestock litter the roadsides in rural areas. The loss of animals means a loss of herders' livelihood and assets. The drought has made many people destitute, with no assets to rebuild their lives Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Many of those who fled the drought in rural areas have come to Mogadishu in search of support. People from one rural area have formed a new camp in an old colonial district of the city. In a cruel twist, rains have now hit Mogadishu. Though well below the normal level, the rains have left stagnant water around the camp, creating public health risks such as malaria and other water borne diseases Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Hawo Madey and her family watched their entire herd die. After losing two of their children to malnutrition, they decided to flee to Mogadishu, hoping for the opportunity to find food. The day before this photograph was taken, they lost their third child. A fourth child, held in his mother's arms, is also dangerously ill from malnutrition. One in four children is malnourished in South Somalia. In some areas, more than 30% of children are malnourished; one of the highest rates in the world and double the international threshold for a nutrition emergency Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

At a temporary site for a nearby school, students share their learning space with families arriving in the city after fleeing the drought in rural areas. The school has already changed sites several times, because of the shifting frontline. Concern Worldwide’s education programme supports three community schools in Mogadishu. The charity also supports more than 1,500 children who have been displaced or affected by the conflict, providing education, a safe haven for recreation and psycho-social care Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

As well as treating children for malnutrition, the Concern health team administer other medicines and support pregnant women as well as new mothers with micro-nutrient supplements and health advice. The charity successfully treats 93% of severely malnourished children admitted to its programme within two months Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Faadumo Mohamed Muudeey shows her Concern identification prior to receiving her third monthly food voucher from Youthlink, the charity's local NGO partner. Through Youthlink, Concern provides monthly food vouchers for a period of six months to more than 1,400 displaced families in Mogadishu. Vouchers can be exchanged for food from agreed and trusted local traders, covering a family's food needs for 23 days of the month Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Increasing opportunities for both children and adults is also a part of Concern's work in Somalia. Here, a group of parents attend adult literacy and numeracy classes. Only 24% of the country's population are literate Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide’s education programme supports 23 schools in poor communities. Only 31% of children in Somalia attend school Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

A local teacher stands with a group of students at a Concern-supported school in Mogadishu during a student-organised assembly Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Providing an education and stability for children increases their opportunities in later life, preparing them for a society which they all hope will be free of conflict Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

The charity's child support project in Mogadishu offers children a safe haven to play. Recreation plays a vital part in children's development, particularly those affected by conflict, encouraging a sense of normality as well as helping the development of social skills Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide

Girls sit in a revision class before exams in a Concern-supported school in Mogadishu. Only 25% of girls have access to education in the country Photograph: Phil Moore/Concern Worldwide